the dragon and the raven by henty, g. a. (george alfred), 1832-1902

8/14/2019 The Dragon and the Raven by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred), 1832-1902

1/163

ProjectGutenbergEtextofTheDragonandtheRaven,byG.A.Henty#3inourseriesbyG.A.Henty.

Copyrightlawsarechangingallovertheworld,besuretocheckthelawsforyourcountrybeforeredistributingthesefiles!!!

Pleasetakealookattheimportantinformationinthisheader.Weencourageyoutokeepthisfileonyourowndisk,keepinganelectronicpathopenforthenextreaders.

Pleasedonotremovethis.

Thisshouldbethefirstthingseenwhenanyoneopensthebook.Donotchangeoredititwithoutwrittenpermission.Thewordsarecarefullychosentoprovideuserswiththeinformationtheyneedaboutwhattheycanlegallydowiththetexts.

**WelcomeToTheWorldofFreePlainVanillaElectronicTexts**

**EtextsReadableByBothHumansandByComputers,Since1971**

*****TheseEtextsArePreparedByThousandsofVolunteers!*****

InformationoncontactingProjectGutenbergtogetEtexts,andfurtherinformationisincludedbelow,includingfordonations.

TheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationisa501(c)(3)organizationwithEIN[EmployeeIdentificationNumber]64-6221541

Title:TheDragonandTheRaven:OrTheDaysofKingAlfred

Author:G.A.Henty

ReleaseDate:January,2003[Etext#3674]

[Yes,weareaboutoneyearaheadofschedule][Theactualdatethisfilefirstposted=07/12/01][Mostrecentlyupdated:April18,2002]

Edition:10

Language:English

ProjectGutenbergEtextofTheDragonandtheRaven,byG.A.Henty*******Thisfileshouldbenamedtdatr10.txtortdatr10.zip********

CorrectedEDITIONSofouretextsgetanewNUMBER,tdatr10.txtVERSIONSbasedonseparatesourcesgetnewLETTER,tdatr10a.txt

ThisetextwasproducedbyRonaldJ.Goodden

ProjectGutenbergEtextsareusuallycreatedfrommultipleeditions,allofwhichareinthePublicDomainintheUnitedStates,unlessacopyrightnoticeisincluded.Therefore,weusuallydoNOTkeepanyofthesebooksincompliancewithanyparticularpaperedition.

Wearenowtryingtoreleaseallourbooksoneyearinadvanceoftheofficialreleasedates,leavingtimeforbetterediting.


2/163

Pleasebeencouragedtosenduserrormessagesevenyearsaftertheofficialpublicationdate.

Pleasenoteneitherthislistingnoritscontentsarefinaltilmidnightofthelastdayofthemonthofanysuchannouncement.TheofficialreleasedateofallProjectGutenbergEtextsisatMidnight,CentralTime,ofthelastdayofthestatedmonth.Apreliminaryversionmayoftenbepostedforsuggestion,commentandeditingbythosewhowishtodoso.

Mostpeoplestartatoursitesat:http://gutenberg.nethttp://promo.net/pg

ThoseofyouwhowanttodownloadanyEtextbeforeannouncementcansurftothemasfollows,andjustdownloadbydate;thisisalsoagoodwaytogettheminstantlyuponannouncement,astheindexesourcataloguersproduceobviouslytakeawhileafteranannouncementgoesoutintheProjectGutenbergNewsletter.

http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext03orftp://ftp.ibiblio.org/pub/docs/books/gutenberg/etext03

Or/etext02,01,00,99,98,97,96,95,94,93,92,92,91or90

Justsearchbythefirstfivelettersofthefilenameyouwant,asitappearsinourNewsletters.

InformationaboutProjectGutenberg(onepage)

Weproduceabouttwomilliondollarsforeachhourwework.Thetimeittakesus,aratherconservativeestimate,isfiftyhourstogetanyetextselected,entered,proofread,edited,copyrightsearchedandanalyzed,thecopyrightletterswritten,etc.This

projectedaudienceisonehundredmillionreaders.Ifourvaluepertextisnominallyestimatedatonedollarthenweproduce$2milliondollarsperhourthisyearaswereleasefiftynewEtextfilespermonth,or500moreEtextsin2000foratotalof3000+Iftheyreachjust1-2%oftheworld'spopulationthenthetotalshouldreachover300billionEtextsgivenawaybyyear'send.

TheGoalofProjectGutenbergistoGiveAwayOneTrillionEtextFilesbyDecember31,2001.[10,000x100,000,000=1Trillion]Thisistenthousandtitleseachtoonehundredmillionreaders,whichisonlyabout4%ofthepresentnumberofcomputerusers.

Atourrevisedratesofproduction,wewillreachonlyone-third

ofthatgoalbytheendof2001,orabout4,000Etextsunlesswemanagetogetsomerealfunding.

TheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationhasbeencreatedtosecureafutureforProjectGutenbergintothenextmillennium.

Weneedyourdonationsmorethanever!

AsofJune1,2001contributionsareonlybeingsolicitedfrompeoplein:Arkansas,Colorado,Connecticut,Delaware,Hawaii,Idaho,Indiana,


3/163

Iowa,Kansas,Louisiana,Maine,Massachusetts,Minnesota,Missouri,Montana,Nebraska,Nevada,NewJersey,NewYork,Ohio,Oklahoma,Oregon,RhodeIsland,SouthCarolina,SouthDakota,Tennessee,Texas,Vermont,Virginia,Washington,WestVirginia,andWyoming.

Wehavefiledinabout45statesnow,butthesearetheonlyonesthathaveresponded.

Astherequirementsforotherstatesaremet,additionstothislistwillbemadeandfundraisingwillbeginintheadditionalstates.Pleasefeelfreetoasktocheckthestatusofyourstate.

Inanswertovariousquestionswehavereceivedonthis:

Weareconstantlyworkingonfinishingthepaperworktolegallyrequestdonationsinall50states.Ifyourstateisnotlistedandyouwouldliketoknowifwehaveaddeditsincethelistyouhave,justask.

Whilewecannotsolicitdonationsfrompeopleinstateswherewearenotyetregistered,weknowofnoprohibitionagainstacceptingdonationsfromdonorsinthesestateswhoapproachuswith

anoffertodonate.

Internationaldonationsareaccepted,butwedon'tknowANYTHINGabouthowtomakethemtax-deductible,oreveniftheyCANbemadedeductible,anddon'thavethestafftohandleitevenifthereareways.

Alldonationsshouldbemadeto:

ProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation

PMB1131739UniversityAve.Oxford,MS38655-4109

TheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationisa501(c)(3)organizationwithEIN[EmployeeIdentificationNumber]64-6221541,andhasbeenapprovedasa501(c)(3)organizationbytheUSInternalRevenueService(IRS).Donationsaretax-deductibletothemaximumextentpermittedbylaw.Astherequirementsforotherstatesaremet,additionstothislistwillbemadeandfundraisingwillbeginintheadditionalstates.

Weneedyourdonationsmorethanever!

Youcangetuptodatedonationinformationat:

http://www.gutenberg.net/donation.html

***

Ifyoucan'treachProjectGutenberg,


4/163

youcanalwaysemaildirectlyto:

MichaelS.Hart

[email protected]@prairienet.organdarchive.orgifyourmailbouncesfromarchive.org,Iwillstillseeit,ifitbouncesfromprairienet.org,betterresendlateron....

Prof.Hartwillanswerorforwardyourmessage.

Wewouldprefertosendyouinformationbyemail.

***

Examplecommand-lineFTPsession:

ftpftp.ibiblio.orglogin:anonymouspassword:your@logincdpub/docs/books/gutenbergcdetext90throughetext99oretext00throughetext02,etc.dir[toseefiles]

getormget[togetfiles...setbinforzipfiles]GETGUTINDEX.??[togetayear'slistingofbooks,e.g.,GUTINDEX.99]GETGUTINDEX.ALL[togetalistingofALLbooks]

**TheLegalSmallPrint**

(ThreePages)

***START**THESMALLPRINT!**FORPUBLICDOMAINETEXTS**START***Whyisthis"SmallPrint!"statementhere?Youknow:lawyers.Theytellusyoumightsueusifthereissomethingwrongwith

yourcopyofthisetext,evenifyougotitforfreefromsomeoneotherthanus,andevenifwhat'swrongisnotourfault.So,amongotherthings,this"SmallPrint!"statementdisclaimsmostofourliabilitytoyou.Italsotellsyouhowyoumaydistributecopiesofthisetextifyouwantto.

*BEFORE!*YOUUSEORREADTHISETEXTByusingorreadinganypartofthisPROJECTGUTENBERG-tmetext,youindicatethatyouunderstand,agreetoandacceptthis"SmallPrint!"statement.Ifyoudonot,youcanreceivearefundofthemoney(ifany)youpaidforthisetextbysendingarequestwithin30daysofreceivingittothepersonyougotitfrom.Ifyoureceivedthisetextonaphysical

medium(suchasadisk),youmustreturnitwithyourrequest.

ABOUTPROJECTGUTENBERG-TMETEXTSThisPROJECTGUTENBERG-tmetext,likemostPROJECTGUTENBERG-tmetexts,isa"publicdomain"workdistributedbyProfessorMichaelS.HartthroughtheProjectGutenbergAssociation(the"Project").Amongotherthings,thismeansthatnooneownsaUnitedStatescopyrightonorforthiswork,sotheProject(andyou!)cancopyanddistributeitintheUnitedStateswithoutpermissionandwithoutpayingcopyrightroyalties.Specialrules,setforth


5/163

below,applyifyouwishtocopyanddistributethisetextunderthe"PROJECTGUTENBERG"trademark.

Pleasedonotusethe"PROJECTGUTENBERG"trademarktomarketanycommercialproductswithoutpermission.

Tocreatetheseetexts,theProjectexpendsconsiderableeffortstoidentify,transcribeandproofreadpublicdomainworks.Despitetheseefforts,theProject'setextsandanymediumtheymaybeonmaycontain"Defects".Amongotherthings,Defectsmaytaketheformofincomplete,inaccurateorcorruptdata,transcriptionerrors,acopyrightorotherintellectualpropertyinfringement,adefectiveordamageddiskorotheretextmedium,acomputervirus,orcomputercodesthatdamageorcannotbereadbyyourequipment.

LIMITEDWARRANTY;DISCLAIMEROFDAMAGESButforthe"RightofReplacementorRefund"describedbelow,[1]MichaelHartandtheFoundation(andanyotherpartyyoumayreceivethisetextfromasaPROJECTGUTENBERG-tmetext)disclaimsallliabilitytoyoufordamages,costsandexpenses,includinglegalfees,and[2]YOUHAVENOREMEDIESFORNEGLIGENCEORUNDERSTRICTLIABILITY,ORFORBREACHOFWARRANTYORCONTRACT,INCLUDINGBUTNOTLIMITEDTOINDIRECT,CONSEQUENTIAL,PUNITIVE

ORINCIDENTALDAMAGES,EVENIFYOUGIVENOTICEOFTHEPOSSIBILITYOFSUCHDAMAGES.

IfyoudiscoveraDefectinthisetextwithin90daysofreceivingit,youcanreceivearefundofthemoney(ifany)youpaidforitbysendinganexplanatorynotewithinthattimetothepersonyoureceiveditfrom.Ifyoureceiveditonaphysicalmedium,youmustreturnitwithyournote,andsuchpersonmaychoosetoalternativelygiveyouareplacementcopy.Ifyoureceiveditelectronically,suchpersonmaychoosetoalternativelygiveyouasecondopportunitytoreceiveitelectronically.

THISETEXTISOTHERWISEPROVIDEDTOYOU"AS-IS".NOOTHERWARRANTIESOFANYKIND,EXPRESSORIMPLIED,AREMADETOYOUASTOTHEETEXTORANYMEDIUMITMAYBEON,INCLUDINGBUTNOTLIMITEDTOWARRANTIESOFMERCHANTABILITYORFITNESSFORAPARTICULARPURPOSE.

Somestatesdonotallowdisclaimersofimpliedwarrantiesortheexclusionorlimitationofconsequentialdamages,sotheabovedisclaimersandexclusionsmaynotapplytoyou,andyoumayhaveotherlegalrights.

INDEMNITYYouwillindemnifyandholdMichaelHart,theFoundation,

anditstrusteesandagents,andanyvolunteersassociatedwiththeproductionanddistributionofProjectGutenberg-tmtextsharmless,fromallliability,costandexpense,includinglegalfees,thatarisedirectlyorindirectlyfromanyofthefollowingthatyoudoorcause:[1]distributionofthisetext,[2]alteration,modification,oradditiontotheetext,or[3]anyDefect.

DISTRIBUTIONUNDER"PROJECTGUTENBERG-tm"Youmaydistributecopiesofthisetextelectronically,orby


6/163

disk,bookoranyothermediumifyoueitherdeletethis"SmallPrint!"andallotherreferencestoProjectGutenberg,or:

[1]Onlygiveexactcopiesofit.Amongotherthings,thisrequiresthatyoudonotremove,alterormodifytheetextorthis"smallprint!"statement.Youmayhowever,ifyouwish,distributethisetextinmachinereadablebinary,compressed,mark-up,orproprietaryform,includinganyformresultingfromconversionbywordprocessingorhypertextsoftware,butonlysolongas*EITHER*:

[*]Theetext,whendisplayed,isclearlyreadable,anddoes*not*containcharactersotherthanthoseintendedbytheauthorofthework,althoughtilde(~),asterisk(*)andunderline(_)charactersmaybeusedtoconveypunctuationintendedbytheauthor,andadditionalcharactersmaybeusedtoindicatehypertextlinks;OR

[*]TheetextmaybereadilyconvertedbythereaderatnoexpenseintoplainASCII,EBCDICorequivalentformbytheprogramthatdisplaystheetext(asis

thecase,forinstance,withmostwordprocessors);OR

[*]Youprovide,oragreetoalsoprovideonrequestatnoadditionalcost,feeorexpense,acopyoftheetextinitsoriginalplainASCIIform(orinEBCDICorotherequivalentproprietaryform).

[2]Honortheetextrefundandreplacementprovisionsofthis"SmallPrint!"statement.

[3]PayatrademarklicensefeetotheFoundationof20%ofthegrossprofitsyouderivecalculatedusingthemethodyou

alreadyusetocalculateyourapplicabletaxes.Ifyoudon'tderiveprofits,noroyaltyisdue.Royaltiesarepayableto"ProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation"the60daysfollowingeachdateyouprepare(orwerelegallyrequiredtoprepare)yourannual(orequivalentperiodic)taxreturn.Pleasecontactusbeforehandtoletusknowyourplansandtoworkoutthedetails.

WHATIFYOU*WANT*TOSENDMONEYEVENIFYOUDON'THAVETO?ProjectGutenbergisdedicatedtoincreasingthenumberofpublicdomainandlicensedworksthatcanbefreelydistributedinmachinereadableform.

TheProjectgratefullyacceptscontributionsofmoney,time,publicdomainmaterials,orroyaltyfreecopyrightlicenses.Moneyshouldbepaidtothe:"ProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation."

Ifyouareinterestedincontributingscanningequipmentorsoftwareorotheritems,pleasecontactMichaelHartat:[email protected]

*ENDTHESMALLPRINT!FORPUBLICDOMAINETEXTS*Ver.06/12/01*END*


7/163

[Portionsofthisheaderarecopyright(C)2001byMichaelS.HartandmaybereprintedonlywhentheseEtextsarefreeofallfees.][ProjectGutenbergisaTradeMarkandmaynotbeusedinanysalesofProjectGutenbergEtextsorothermaterialsbetheyhardwareorsoftwareoranyotherrelatedproductwithoutexpresspermission.]

ThisetextwasproducedbyRonaldJ.Goodden

THEDRAGONANDTHERAVEN:OrTheDaysofKingAlfred

ByG.A.Henty

CONTENTS

PREFACEI.THEFUGITIVESII.THEBATTLEOFKESTEVENIII.THEMASSACREATCROYLANDIV.THEINVASIONOFWESSEXV.ADISCIPLINEDBANDVI.THESAXONFORTVII.THEDRAGONVIII.THECRUISEOFTHEDRAGONIX.APRIS0NERX.THECOMBAT

XI.THEISLEOFATHELNEYXII.FOURYEARSOFPEACEXIII.THESIEGEOFPARISXIV.THEREPULSEOFTHENORSEMENXV.FRIENDSINTROUBLEXVI.FREDAXVII.ALONGCHASEXVIII.FREDADISCOVEREDXIX.UNITED

PREFACE

MYDEARLADS,

LivinginthepresentdaysofpeaceandtranquillityitisdifficulttopicturethelifeofourancestorsinthedaysofKingAlfred,whenthewholecountrywasforyearsoverrunbyhordesofpaganbarbarians,whoslaughtered,plundered,anddestroyedatwill.Youmaygain,perhaps,afair


8/163

conceptionofthestateofthingsifyouimaginethatatthetimeofthegreatmutinytheEnglishpopulationofIndiaapproachedthatofthenatives,andthatthemutinywaseverywheretriumphant.ThewholesalemassacresandoutrageswhichwouldinsuchacasehavebeeninflictedupontheconqueredwhitescouldbenoworsethanthosesufferedbytheSaxonsatthehandsoftheDanes.FromthisterriblestateofsubjectionandsufferingtheSaxonswererescuedbytheprudence,thepatience,thevalourandwisdomofKingAlfred.InallsubsequentagesEnglandhasproducednosinglemanwhounitedinhimselfsomanygreatqualitiesasdidthisfirstofgreatEnglishmen.Hewaslearned,wise,brave,prudent,andpious;devotedtohispeople,clementtohisconqueredenemies.Hewasasgreatinpeaceasinwar;andyetfewEnglishboysknowmorethanafaintoutlineoftheeventsofAlfred'sreign--eventswhichhaveexercisedaninfluenceuponthewholefutureoftheEnglishpeople.Schoolhistoriespassbrieflyoverthem;andtheincidentoftheburnedcakeisthatwhichis,ofalltheactionsofagreatandgloriousreign,themostprominentinboys'minds.InthisstoryIhavetriedtosupplythedeficiency.FortunatelyintheSaxonChroniclesandinthelifeofKingAlfredwrittenbyhisfriendandcounsellorAsser,wehaveatrustworthyaccountoftheeventsandbattleswhichfirstlaidWessexprostratebeneaththefootof

theDanes,andfinallyfreedEnglandformanyyearsfromtheinvaders.ThesehistoriesIhavefaithfullyfollowed.TheaccountofthesiegeofParisistakenfromaveryfullanddetailedhistoryofthateventbytheAbbeD'Abbon,whowasawitnessofthesceneshedescribed.

Yourssincerely,G.A.HENTY

CHAPTERI:THEFUGITIVES

Alowhutbuiltofturfroughlythatchedwithrushesandstandingonthehighestspotofsomeslightlyraisedground.Itwassurroundedbyatangledgrowthofbushesandlowtrees,throughwhichanarrowandwindingpathgaveadmissiontothenarrowspaceonwhichthehutstood.Thegroundslopedrapidly.Twentyyardsfromthehousethetreesceased,andarankvegetationofreedsandrushestooktheplaceofthebushes,andthegroundbecamesoftandswampy.Alittlefurtherpoolsofstagnantwaterappearedamongtherushes,andthepathabruptly

stoppedattheedgeofastagnantswamp,thoughthepassagecouldbefollowedbytheeyeforsomedistanceamongthetallrushes.Thehut,infact,stoodonahummockinthemidstofawideswampwherethewatersometimesdeepenedintolakesconnectedbysluggishstreams.

Ontheopenspacesofwaterheronsstalkednearthemargin,andgreatflocksofwild-fowldottedthesurface.Othersignsoflifetherewerenone,althoughasharpeyemighthavedetectedlightthreadsofsmokecurlinguphere


9/163

andtherefromspotswherethegroundrosesomewhatabovethegenerallevel.Theseslightelevations,however,werenotvisibletotheeye,fortheherbageheregrewshorterthanonthelowerandwetterground,andthelandapparentlystretchedawayforavastdistanceinadeadflat--arush-coveredswamp,brokenonlyhereandtherebypatchesofbushesandlowtrees.

Thelittlehutwassituatedintheveryheartofthefencountry,nowdrainedandcultivated,butintheyear870untouchedbythehandofman,thehauntofwild-fowlandhumanfugitives.Atthedoorofthehutstoodaladsomefourteenyearsold.Hisonlygarmentwasashortsleevelesstunicgirdedinatthewaist,hisarmsandlegswerebare;hisheadwasuncovered,andhishairfellinmassesonhisshoulders.Inhishandheheldashortspear,andleaningagainstthewallofthehutcloseathandwasabowandquiverofarrows.Theladlookedatthesun,whichwassinkingtowardsthehorizon.

"Fatherislate,"hesaid."ItrustthatnoharmhascometohimandEgbert.Hesaidhewouldreturnto-daywithoutfail;hesaidthreeorfourdays,andthisisthefourth.Itisdullworkherealone.Youthinkso,Wolf,don'tyou,oldfellow?

Anditisworseforyouthanitisforme,pentuponthishummockofgroundwithscarceroomtostretchyourlimbs."

Agreatwolf-hound,whowaslyingwithhisheadbetweenhispawsbytheembersofafireinthecentreofthehut,raisedhisheadonbeingaddressed,andutteredalowhowlindicativeofhisagreementwithhismaster'sopinionandhisdisgustathispresentplaceofabode.

"Nevermind,oldfellow,"theboycontinued,"wesha'n'tbeherelong,Ihope,andthenyoushallgowithmeinthewoodsagainandhuntthewolvestoyourheart'scontent."Thegreathoundgavealazywagofhistail."Andnow,Wolf,

Imustgo.YouliehereandguardthehutwhileIamaway.Notthatyouarelikelytohaveanystrangerstocallinmyabsence."

Thedogroseandstretchedhimself,andfollowedhismasterdownthepathuntilitterminatedattheedgeofthewater.Herehegavealowwhimperastheladsteppedinandwadedthroughthewater;thenturninghewalkedbacktothehutandthrewhimselfdownatthedoor.Theboyproceededforsomethirtyorfortyyardsthroughthewater,thenpausedandpushedasidethewallofrusheswhichborderedthepassage,andpulledoutaboatwhichwasfloatingamongthem.

Itwasconstructedofosierrodsneatlywoventogetherintoasortofbasket-work,andcoveredwithanuntannedhidewiththehairysidein.Itwasnearlyovalinshape,andresembledagreatbowlsomethreefeetandahalfwideandafootlonger.Abroadpaddlewithalonghandlelayinit,andtheboy,gettingintoitandstandingerectinthemiddlepaddleddownthestripofwaterwhichahundredyardsfurtheropenedoutintoabroadhalfamilelongandfourorfivehundredyardswide.Beyondmovingslowlyawayasthe


10/163

coracleapproachedthem,thewater-fowlpaidbutlittleheedtoitsappearance.

Theboypaddledtotheendofthebroad,whenceapassage,throughwhichflowedastreamsosluggishthatitscurrentcouldscarcebedetected,ledintothenextsheetofwater.Acrosstheentrancetothispassagefloatedsomebundlesoflightrushes.Thesetheboydrewoutonebyone.Attachedtoeachwasapieceofcordwhich,beingpulledupon,broughttothesurfacealargecage,constructedsomewhatontheplanofamoderneelorlobsterpot.Theywerebaitedbypiecesofdeadfish,andfromthemtheboyextractedhalfascoreofeelsandasmanyfishofdifferentkinds.

"Notabadhaul,"hesaidasheloweredthecagestothebottomagain."Nowletusseewhatwehavegotinourpen."

Hepaddledashortwayalongthebroadtoapointwherealittlelaneofwaterranupthroughtherushes.Thisnarrowedrapidlyandtheladgotoutfromhisboatintothewater,asthecoraclecouldproceednofurtherbetweenthelinesofrushes.Thewaterwasknee-deepandthebottomsoftandoozy.Attheendofthecreekitnarroweduntiltherusheswerebutafootapart.Theywerebentoverhere,asitwould

seemtoasuperficialobservernaturally;butacloseexaminationwouldshowthatthosefacingeachotherweretiedtogetherwheretheycrossedatadistanceofacoupleoffeetabovethewater,formingasortoftunnel.Twofeetfartheronthisceased,andtherushesweresucceededbylinesofstrongosierwithies,aninchortwoapart,archedoverandfastenedtogether.Atthispointwasasortofhangingdoorformedofrushesbackedwithosiers,andsoarrangedthatattheslightestpushfromwithoutthedoorliftedandenabledawild-fowltopassunder,butdroppingbehinditpreventeditsexit.Theosiertunnelwidenedouttoasortofinvertedbasketthreefeetindiameter.

Onthesurfaceofthecreekfloatedsomegrainwhichhadbeenscatteredtheretheeveningbeforeasabait.Theladleftthecreekbeforehegottothenarrowerpart,and,makingasmallcircuitintheswamp,camedownuponthepen.

"Good!"hesaid,"Iaminluckto-day;herearethreefineducks."

Bendingtheyieldingosiersaside,hedrewouttheducksonebyone,wrungtheirnecks,andpassingtheirheadsthroughhisgirdle,madehiswayagaintothecoracle.Thenhescatteredanotherhandfulortwoofgrainonthewater,

sparinglynearthemouthofthecreek,butmorethicklyattheentrancetothetrap,andthenpaddledbackagainbythewayhehadcome.

Almostnoiselesslyashedippedthepaddleinthewater,thehound'squickearhadcaughtthesound,andhewasstandingattheedgeoftheswamp,wagginghistailindignifiedwelcomeashismastersteppedontodryland.

"There,Wolf,whatdoyouthinkofthat?Agoodscore


11/163

ofeelsandfishandthreefinewildducks.Thatmeansbonesforyouwithyourmealto-night--nottosatisfyyourhunger,youknow,fortheywouldnotbeofmuchuseinthatway,buttogiveaflavourtoyoursupper.Nowletusmakethefireupandpluckthebirds,forIwarrantmethatfatherandEgbert,iftheyreturnthisevening,willbesharp-set.Therearethecakestobaketoo,soyouseethereisworkforthenexthourortwo."

Thesunhadsetnow,andtheflames,dancingupastheboythrewanarmfulofdrywoodonthefire,gavethehutamorecheerfulappearance.Forsometimetheladbusiedhimselfwithpreparationforsupper.Thethreeduckswerepluckedinreadinessforputtingoverthefireshouldtheyberequired;cakesofcoarserye-flourweremadeandplacedintheredashesofthefire;andthentheladthrewhimselfdownbythesideofthedog.

"No,Wolf,itisnouseyourlookingatthoseducks.Iamnotgoingtoroastthemifnoonecomes;Ihavegothalfaoneleftfromdinner."Aftersittingquietforhalfanhourthedogsuddenlyraisedhimselfintoasittingposition,withearserectandmuzzlepointedtowardsthedoor;thenhegavealowwhine,andhistailbegantobeatthegroundrapidly.

"What!doyouhearthem,oldfellow?"theboysaid,leapingtohisfeet."Iwishmyearswereassharpasyoursare,Wolf;therewouldbenofearthenofbeingcaughtasleep.Comeon,oldboy,letusgoandmeetthem."

Itwassomeminutesafterhereachedtheedgeoftheswampbeforetheboycouldhearthesoundswhichthequickearsofthehoundhaddetected.Thenheheardafaintsplashingnoise,andaminuteortwolatertwofigureswereseenwadingthroughthewater.

"Welcomeback,father,"theladcried."Iwasbeginning

tobeanxiousaboutyou,forhereweareattheendofthefourthday."

"Ididnotnameanyhour,Edmund,"theboy'sfathersaid,ashesteppedfromthewater,"butIownthatIdidnotreckonuponbeingsolate;butintruthEgbertandImissedourwayinthewindingsoftheseswamps,andshouldnothavebeenbackto-nighthadwenotluckilyfallenuponamanfishing,whowasabletoputusright.Youhavegotsomesupper,Ihope,forEgbertandIareashungryaswolves,forwehavehadnothingsincewestartedbeforesunrise."

"Ihaveplentytoeat,father;butyouwillhavetowaittill

itiscooked,foritwasnouseputtingitoverthefireuntilIknewthatyouwouldreturn;butthereisagoodfire,andyouwillnothavetowaitlong.Andhowhasitfaredwithyou,andwhatisthenews?"

"Thenewsisbad,Edmund.TheDanesareeverreceivingreinforcementsfromMercia,andscarceadaypassesbutfreshbandsarriveatThetford,andIfearthaterelongEastAnglia,likeNorthumbria,willfallintotheirclutches.Nay,unlesswesoonmakeheadagainstthemtheywillcometo


12/163

occupyalltheisland,justasdidourforefathers."

"Thatwereshameindeed,"Edmundexclaimed."Weknowthatthepeopleconqueredbyourancestorswereunwarlikeandcowardly;butitwouldbeshameindeedwereweSaxonssotobeovercomebytheDanes,seeingmoreoverthatwehavethehelpofGod,beingChristians,whiletheDanesarepagansandidolaters."

"Nevertheless,myson,forthelastfiveyearstheseheathenhavebeenmastersofNorthumbria,havewastedthewholecountry,andhaveplunderedanddestroyedthechurchesandmonasteries.AtpresenttheyhavebutmadeabeginninghereinEastAnglia;butiftheycontinuetoflockintheywillsoonoverrunthewholecountry,insteadofhaving,asatpresent,amerefootholdneartheriversexceptforthosewhohavecomedowntoThetford.Wehavebeenamongthefirstsufferers,seeingthatourlandslieroundThetford,andhithertoIhavehopedthattherewouldbeageneralrisingagainsttheseinvaders;butthekingisindolentandunwarlike,andIseethathewillnotarousehimselfandcallhisealdormenandthanestogetherforaunitedeffortuntilitistoolate.AlreadyfromthenorththeDanesareflockingdownintoMercia,andalthoughtheadventoftheWestSaxons

totheaidoftheKingofMerciaforcedthemtoretreatforawhile,Idoubtnotthattheywillsoonpourdownagain."

"'Tisapity,father,thattheSaxonsarenotallunderoneleading;thenwemightsurelydefendEnglandagainsttheDanes.IfthepeopledidbutriseandfalluponeachbandofNorthmenastheyarrivedtheywouldgetnofootingamongus."

"Yes,"thefatherreplied,"itistheunhappydivisionsbetweentheSaxonkingdomswhichhaveenabledtheDanestogetsofirmafootingintheland.OuronlyhopenowliesintheWestSaxons.UntillatelytheywereatfeudwithMercia;buttheroyalfamiliesarenowrelatedbymarriage,seeing

thattheKingofMerciaisweddedtoaWestSaxonprincess,andthatAlfred,theWestSaxonking'sbrotherandheirtothethrone,haslatelyespousedoneoftheroyalbloodofMercia.ThefactthattheymarchedatthecalloftheKingofMerciaanddrovetheDanesfromNottinghamshowsthattheWestSaxonprincesarealivetothecommondangerofthecountry,andiftheyarebutjoinedheartilybyourpeopleofEastAngliaandtheMercians,theymayyetsucceedincheckingtheprogressoftheseheathen.Andnow,Edmund,asweseenohopeofanygeneralefforttodrivetheDanesoffourcoasts,'tisuselessforustolurkherelonger.Iproposeto-morrow,then,tojourneynorthintoLincolnshire,totheAbbeyofCroyland,where,asyouknow,mybrother

Theodoreistheabbot;therewecanrestinpeaceforatime,andwatchtheprogressofevents.Ifwehearthatthepeopleofthesepartsarearousedfromtheirlethargy,wewillcomebackandfightforourhomeandlands;ifnot,IwillnolongerstayinEastAnglia,whichIseeisdestinedtofallpiecemealintothehandsoftheDanes;butwewilljourneydowntoSomerset,andIwillprayKingEthelberttoassignmelandsthere,andtotakemeashisthane."

WhiletheyhadbeenthustalkingEgberthadbeenbroiling


13/163

theeelsandwildducksoverthefire.Hewasafreeman,andadistantrelationofEdmund'sfather,Eldred,whowasanealdormaninWestNorfolk,hislandslyingbeyondThetford,anduponwhom,therefore,thefirstbruntoftheDanishinvasionfromMerciahadfallen.Hehadmadeastoutresistance,andassemblinghispeoplehadgivenbattletotheinvaders.These,however,weretoostrongandnumerous,andhisforcehavingbeenscatteredanddispersed,hehadsoughtrefugewithEgbertandhissoninthefencountry.HerehehadremainedfortwomonthsinhopesthatsomegeneraleffortwouldbemadetodrivebacktheDanes;butbeingnowconvincedthatatpresenttheAnglesweretoodisunitedtojoininacommoneffort,hedeterminedtoretireforawhilefromthescene.

"Isuppose,father,"Edmundsaid,"youwillleaveyourtreasuresburiedhere?"

"Yes,"hisfatherreplied;"wehavenomeansoftransportingthem,andwecanatallytimereturnandfetchthem.Wemustdigupthebigchestandtakesuchgarmentsaswemayneed,andthepersonalornamentsofourrank;buttherest,withthegoldandsilvervessels,canremainheretillweneedthem."

Goldandsilvervesselsseemlittleinaccordancewiththeprimitivemodeoflifeprevailingintheninthcentury.TheSaxoncivilizationwasindeedamixedone.Theirmodeoflifewasprimitive,theirdwellings,withtheexceptionofthereligioushousesandtheabodesofafewofthegreatnobles,simpleintheextreme;buttheypossessedvesselsofgoldandsilver,armlets,necklaces,andornamentsofthesamemetals,richandbrightlycoloureddresses,andelaboratebedfurniturewhiletheirtablesandhouseholdutensilswereoftheroughestkind,andtheirfloorsstrewnwithrushes.WhentheyinvadedandconqueredEnglandtheyfoundexistingthecivilizationintroducedbytheRomans,whichwasfarinadvance

oftheirown;muchofthistheyadopted.TheintroductionofChristianityfurtheradvancedtheminthescale.

TheprelatesandmonksfromRomebroughtwiththemahighdegreeofcivilization,andthistonosmallextenttheSaxonsimitatedandborrowed.Thechurchwasheldinmuchhonour,greatwealthandpossessionswerebestoweduponit,andthebishopsandabbotspossessedlargetemporalaswellasspiritualpower,andboreaprominentpartinthecouncilsofthekingdoms.Buteveninthehandsomeandwell-builtmonasteries,withtheirstatelyservicesandhandsomevestments,learningwasatthelowestebb--solow,indeed,thatwhenPrinceAlfreddesiredtolearnLatinhecouldfindno

oneinhisfather'sdominionscapableofteachinghim,andhisstudieswereforalongtimehinderedforwantofaninstructor,andatthetimeheascendedthethronehewasprobablytheonlyEnglishmanoutsideamonasterywhowasabletoreadandwritefluently.

"Tellme,father,"Edmundsaidafterthemealwasconcluded,"abouttheWestSaxons,sinceitistothem,asitseems,thatwemustlookfortheprotectionofEnglandagainsttheDanes.ThisPrinceAlfred,ofwhomIbeforeheardyouspeak


14/163

intermsofhighpraise,isthebrother,ishenot,oftheking?InthatcasehowisitthathedoesnotreigninKent,whichIthought,thoughjoinedtotheWestSaxonkingdom,wasalwaysruledoverbytheeldestsonoftheking."

"Suchhasbeentherule,Edmund;butseeingthetroubledtimeswhenEthelbertcametothethrone,itwasthoughtbettertounitethetwokingdomsunderonecrownwiththeunderstandingthatatEthelbert'sdeathAlfredshouldsucceedhim.Theirfather,Ethelwulf,wasaweakking,andshouldhavebeenbornachurchmanratherthanaprince.HenominallyreignedoverWessex,Kent,andMercia,butthelastpaidhimbutaslightallegiance.Alfredwashisfavouriteson,andhesenthim,whenquiteachild,toRomeforavisit.In855hehimself,withamagnificentretinue,andaccompaniedbyAlfred,visitedRome,travellingthroughthelandoftheFranks,anditwasthere,doubtless,thatAlfredacquiredthatloveoflearning,andmanyofthoseideas,farinadvanceofhispeople,whichdistinguishhim.Hismother,Osburgha,diedbeforeheandhisfatherstartedonthepilgrimage.Thekingwasreceivedwithmuchhonourbythepope,towhomhepresentedagoldcrownoffourpoundsweight,tendishesofthepurestgold,aswordrichlysetingold,twogoldimages,somesilver-gilturns,stolesbordered

withgoldandpurple,whitesilkenrobesembroideredwithfigures,andothercostlyarticlesofclothingforthecelebrationoftheserviceofthechurch,togetherwithrichpresentsingoldandsilvertothechurches,bishops,clergy,andotherdwellersinRome.TheysaythatthepeopleofRomemarvelledmuchatthesemagnificentgiftsfromakingofacountrywhichtheyhadconsideredasbarbarous.OnhiswaybackhemarriedJudith,daughteroftheKingoftheFranks;afoolishmarriage,forthekingwasfaradvancedinyearsandJudithwasbutagirl.

"Ethelbald,Ethelwulf'seldestson,hadactedasregentinhisfather'sabsence,andsoangeredwasheatthismarriage

thatheraisedhisstandardofrevoltagainsthisfather.AthermarriageJudithhadbeencrownedqueen,andthiswascontrarytothecustomsoftheWestSaxons,thereforeEthelbaldwassupportedbythepeopleofthatcountry;onhisfather'sreturntoEngland,however,fatherandsonmet,andadivisionofthekingdomwasagreedupon.

"EthelbaldreceivedWessex,theprincipalpartofthekingdom,andEthelwulftookKent,whichhehadalreadyruledoverinthetimeofhisfatherEgbert.Ethelwulfdiedafewmonthsafterwards,leavingKenttoEthelbert,hissecondsurvivingson.Thefollowingyear,tothehorrorandindignationofthepeopleofthecountry,Ethelbaldmarriedhis

stepmotherJudith,buttwoyearsafterwardsdied,andEthelbert,KingofKent,againunitedWessextohisowndominions,whichconsistedofKent,Surrey,andSussex.Ethelbertreignedbutashorttime,andathisdeathEthelred,hisnextbrother,ascendedthethrone.LastyearAlfred,theyoungestbrother,marriedElswitha,thedaughterofEthelredMucil,EarloftheGaini,inLincolnshire,whosemotherwasoneoftheroyalfamilyofMercia.

"ItwasbutashorttimeafterthemarriagethattheDanes


15/163

pouredintoMerciafromthenorth.MessengersweresenttoasktheassistanceoftheWestSaxons.Theseatonceobeyedthesummons,and,joiningtheMercians,marchedagainsttheDanes,whoshutthemselvesupinthestrongcityofNottingham,andwerethereforsometimebesieged.Theplacewasstrong,thewinterathand,andthetimeofthesoldiers'servicenearlyexpired.AtreatywasaccordinglymadebywhichtheDaneswereallowedtodepartunharmedtothenorthsideoftheHumber,andtheWestSaxonsreturnedtotheirkingdom.

"Suchisthesituationatpresent,butwemaybesurethattheDaneswillnotlongremainquiet,butwillsoongatherforanotherinvasion;erelong,too,wemayexpectanotheroftheirgreatfleetstoarrivesomewhereoffthesecoasts,andeverySaxonwhocanbeararmshadneedtakethefieldtofightforourcountryandfaithagainsttheseheatheninvaders.Hitherto,Edmund,asyouknow,Ihavedeeplymournedthedeathofyourmother,andofyoursisterswhodiedininfancy;butnowIfeelthatitisforthebest,foraterribletimeisbeforeus.Wemencantakerefugeinswampandforest,butitwouldhavebeenhardfordelicatewomen;andthosemenarebestoffwhostandaloneandareabletogiveeverythoughtandenergytothedefenceoftheircountry.

'TiswellthatyouarenowapproachinganagewhentheSaxonyoutharewonttotaketheirplaceintheranksofbattle.Ihavesparednopainswithyourtraininginarms,andthoughassuredlyyoulackstrengthyettocopeinhand-to-handconflictwiththesefierceDanes,youmayyettakeyourpartinbattle,withmeononesideofyouandEgbertontheother.Ihavethoughtovermanythingsoflate,anditseemstomethatweSaxonshavedoneharminholdingthepeopleofthiscountryasserfs."

"Why,father,"Edmundexclaimedinastonishment,"surelyyouwouldnothaveallmenfreeandequal."

"Theideaseemsstrangetoyou,nodoubt,Edmund,anditappearsonlynaturalthatsomemenshouldbeborntoruleandotherstolabour,butthismightbesoevenwithoutserfdom,since,asyouknow,thepoorerfreemenlabourjustasdotheserfs,onlytheyreceiveasomewhatlargerguerdonfortheirtoil;buthadthetworacesmixedmorecloselytogether,hadserfdombeenabolishedandallmenbeenfreeandcapableofbearingarms,weshouldhavebeenabletoshowafarbetterfronttotheDanes,seeingthattheserfsareasthreetoonetothefreemen."

"Buttheserfsarecowardlyandspiritless,"Edmundsaid;"theyarenotofafightingrace,andfellalmostwithout

resistancebeforeourancestorswhentheylandedhere."

"Theirraceisnodoubtinferiortoourown,Edmund,"hisfathersaid,"seeingthattheyareneithersotallnorsostrongasweSaxons,butofoldtheywerenotdeficientinbravery,fortheyfoughtasstoutlyagainsttheRomansasdidourownhardyancestors.AfterhavingbeenforhundredsofyearssubjecttotheRomanyoke,andhavingnooccasiontousearms,theylosttheirmanlyvirtues,andwhentheRomansleftthemwereaneasypreyforthefirstcomer.Our


16/163

fatherscouldnotforeseethatthetimewouldcomewhentheytoointurnwouldbeinvaded.Hadtheydoneso,methinkstheywouldnothavesetupsobroadalineofseparationbetweenthemselvesandtheBritons,butwouldhaveadmittedthelattertotherightsofcitizenship,inwhichcaseintermarriagewouldhavetakenplacefreely,andthewholepeoplewouldhavebecomeamalgamated.TheBritons,accustomedtoourfreeinstitutions,andtakingpartinthewarsbetweenthevariousSaxonkingdoms,wouldhaverecoveredtheirwarlikevirtues,anditwouldbeasonepeoplethatweshouldresisttheDanes.Asitis,theserfs,whoformbyfarthelargestpartofthepopulation,areapatheticandcowardly;theyviewthestrugglewithindifference,forwhatsignifiestothemwhetherDaneorSaxonconquer;theyhavenointerestinthestruggle,nothingtoloseortogain,itisbutachangeofmasters."

Edmundwassilent.Theverypossibilityofastateofthingsinwhichthereshouldbenoserfs,andwhenallmenshouldbefreeandequal,hadneveroccurredtohim;buthehadadeeprespectforhisfather,whoboreindeedthereputationofbeingoneofthewisestandmostclear-headedofthenoblesofEastAnglia,anditseemedtohimthatthisstrangeandnoveldoctrinecontainedmuchtruthinit.Still

theideawasasstrangetohimasitwouldhavebeentothesonofasouthernplanterinAmericahalfacenturyago.Theexistenceofslavesseemedasmuchamatterofcourseasthatofhorsesordogs,andalthoughhehadbeenaccustomedtoseefromtimetotimefreedombestoweduponsomefavouriteserfasaspecialrewardforservices,thethoughtofageneralliberationoftheslaveswasstrangeandalmostbewildering,andhelayawakepuzzlingovertheproblemlongafterhisfatherandkinsmanhadfallenasleep.

CHAPTERII:THEBATTLEOFKESTEVEN

Thefollowingmorningearlythelittlepartystarted.Thegreatchestwasdugupfromitsplaceofconcealment,andtheyresumedtheirordinarydresses.Theealdormanattiredhimselfinawhitetunicwithabroadpurplebandroundtheloweredge,withashortcloakofgreencloth.Thiswasfastenedwithagoldbroochattheneck;aneckletofthesamemetalandseveralgoldbraceletscompletedhiscostume,exceptthatheworeaflatcapandsandals.Edmund

hadagreentunicandcloakofdeepredcolour;whileEgbertwasdressedinyellowwithagreencloak--theSaxonsbeingextremelyfondofbrightcolours.

Allworedaggers,whosesheathswereincrustedinsilver,intheirbelts,andtheealdormanandhiskinsmancarriedshortbroad-bladedswords,whileEdmundhadhisboar-spear.Eldredplacedinthepouchwhichhungathissideabagcontaininganumberofsilvercubescutfromalongbarandroughlystamped.Thechestwasthenburiedagaininits


17/163

placeofconcealmentamongthebushesnearthehut,Edmundplacedhisbowsandarrowsintheboat--notthatinwhichEdmundhadfished,butthemuchlargerandheaviercraftwhichEldredandEgberthadused--andthentheparty,withthehound,tooktheirplacesinit.TheealdormanandEgbertwereprovidedwithlongpoles,andwiththesetheysentthelittleboatrapidlythroughthewater.

AfterpolingtheirwayforsomeeighthourstheyreachedthetownofNorwich,towhichtheDaneshadnotyetpenetrated;here,procuringwhatarticlestheyneeded,theyproceededontheirjourneytoCroyland,makingagreatcircuittoavoidtheDanesatThetford.Thecountrywasforthemostpartcoveredwiththickforests,wherethewildboaranddeerroamedundisturbedbyman,andwheremanywolvesstilllurked,althoughthenumberinthecountryhadbeengreatlydiminishedbytheenergeticmeasureswhichKingEgberthadtakenforthedestructionofthesebeasts.Theirhalting-placeswereforthemostpartatreligioushouses,whichthenservedthepurposeofinnsfortravellers,beingfreelyopenedtothosewhomnecessityorpleasuremightcausetojourney.EverywheretheyfoundthemonksinastateofalarmattheprogressoftheDanes,who,wherevertheywent,destroyedthechurchesandreligioushouses,andslew

themonks.

Eldredwaseverywherereceivedwithmarkedhonour;beingknownasawiseandvaliantnoble,hisopinionsonthechancesofthesituationwereeagerlylistenedto,andhefoundthemonksatalltheirhalting-placesprepared,ifneedbe,totakeuparmsandfightthepaganinvaders,asthoseofMerciaandWessexhaddoneintheprecedingautumn.Thetravellers,onarrivingatCroyland,werewarmlywelcomed.

"Iheard,brother,"theabbotsaid,"thatyouhadbravelyfoughtagainsttheDanesnearThetford,andhavebeensorelyanxioussincethenewscameofthedispersalofyourforce."

"Ihavebeeninhiding,"Eldredsaid,"hopingthatageneraleffortwouldbemadeagainsttheinvaders.Myownpowerwasbroken,sinceallmylandsareintheirhands.ThepeopleofEastAngliafoolishlyseemtosupposethat,solongastheDanesremainquiet,thetimehasnotcomeforaction.Theywillrepenttheirlethargysomeday,for,astheDanesgatherinstrength,theywillburstoutoverthesurroundingcountryasadammed-upriverbreaksitsbanks.No,brother,IregardEastAngliaaslostsofarasdependsuponitself;itsonlyhopeisinthemenofKentandWessex,whomwemustnowlookuponasourchampions,andwhomayyetstemthetideofinvasionanddrivebacktheDanes.Thisabbeyofyoursstands

inaperilousposition,beingnotfarremovedfromtheHumber,wheresomanyoftheDanesfindentrancetoEngland."

"Itisnotwithoutdanger,Eldred,butthemenofthefensarenumerous,hardyandbrave,andwillofferatoughresistancetoanywhomayventuretomarchhitherward,andif,asIhope,youwillstaywithus,andwillundertaketheircommand,wemayyetforalongtimekeeptheDanesfromourdoors."


18/163

Forsomeweeksthetimepassedquietly.Edmundspentmostofhistimeinhunting,beinggenerallyaccompaniedbyEgbert.TheSaxonwasanexceedinglytallandpowerfulman,slowandscantyofspeech,whohadearnedforhimselfthetitleofEgberttheSilent.HewasdevotedtohiskinsmenandregardedhimselfasspecialguardianofEdmund.Hehadinstructedhimintheuseofarms,andalwaysaccompaniedhimwhenhewentouttohunttheboar,standingeverbyhissidetoaidhimtoreceivetherushofthewoundedandfuriousbeasts;andmorethanonce,whenEdmundhadbeenbornedownbytheironslaughts,andwouldhavebeenseverelywounded,ifnotkilled,asweepingblowofEgbert'sswordhadridhimofhisassailant.

SometimesEdmundmadeexcursionsinthefens,wherewithnetsandsnareshecaughtthefishwhichswarmedinthesluggishwaters;or,havingcoveredhisboatwithaleafyboweruntilitresembledafloatingbush,driftedclosetotheflocksofwild-fowl,andwithhisbowandarrowsobtainedmanyaplumpwildduck.Smallerbirdswerecaughtinsnaresortraps,orwithbird-limesmearedontwigs.Eldredseldomjoinedhissoninhishuntingexcursions,ashewasbusiedwithhisbrothertheabbotinconcertingthemeasuresof

defenceandinorganizingabandofmessengers,who,onthefirstwarningofdanger,couldbedespatchedthroughoutthefenstocallinthefisherpopulationtothedefenceoftheabbey.

Itwasonthe18thofSeptember,870,thatamessengerarrivedattheabbeyandcravedinstantspeechwiththeprior.Thelatter,whowasclosetedwithhisbrother,orderedthemantobeadmitted.

"Icome,"hesaid,"fromAlgartheealdorman.HebidsmetellyouthatagreatDanishhosthaslandedfromtheHumberatLindsay.TherichmonasteryofBardenayhas

beenpillagedandburned.Algarisassemblingalltheinhabitantsofthemarshlandstogivethembattle,andhepraysyoutosendwhathelpyoucanspare,forassuredlytheywillmarchhithershouldhebedefeated."

"Returntotheealdorman,"theabbotsaid;"tellhimthateverylaybrotherandmonkwhocanbeararmsshallmarchhencetojoinhimunderthecommandoflaybrotherToley,whosedeedsofarmsagainsttheDanesinMerciaarewellknowntohim.Mybrotherhere,Eldred,willheadalltheinhabitantsofthemarshesofthisneighbourhood.Withtheseandthebrothersoftheabbey,inall,asIreckon,nighfourhundredmen,hewillto-morrowmarchtojoinAlgar."

MessengerswereatoncesentoffthroughthesurroundingcountrybiddingeverymanassembleonthemorrowmorningatCroyland,andsoonafterdaybreaktheybegantoarrive.Somewerearmedwithswords,somewithlongsickles,usedincuttingrushes,tiedtopoles,somehadfastenedlongpiecesofirontooarstoserveaspikes.Theywerearoughandsomewhatraggedthrong,butEldredsawwithsatisfactionthattheywereahardandsturdysetofmen,accustomedtofatigueandlikelytostandfirminthehour


19/163

ofbattle.

Mostofthemcarriedshieldsmadeofplattedosierscoveredwithskin.Thearmouryoftheabbeywaswellsupplied,andswordsandaxesweredistributedamongtheworstarmedofthefenmen.Then,withbutlittleorderorregularity,butwithfirmandcheerfulcountenances,asmendeterminedtowinordie,thebandmovedoffunderEldred'scommand,followedbythecontingentoftheabbey,eightystrong,underlaybrotherToley.

Asturdybandwerethesemonks,wellfedandvigorous.TheyknewthattheyhadnomercytoexpectfromtheDanes,and,regardingthemaspagansandenemiesoftheirreligionaswellasoftheircountry,couldbetrustedtodotheirutmost.LatethateveningtheyjoinedAlgarattheplacetheyhadappointed,andfoundthatalargenumberofthepeopleofthemarsheshadgatheredroundhisbanner.

TheDaneshadnotmovedasyetfromBardenay,andAlgardeterminedtowaitforanotherdayortwobeforeadvancing,inordertogivetimetoothersfartherfromthesceneofactiontoarrive.

Thenextdaycamethecontingentsfromseveralotherprioriesandabbeys,andthesightoftheconsiderableforcegatheredtogethergaveheartandconfidencetoall.Algar,Eldred,andtheotherleaders,Morcar,Osgot,andHarding,movedaboutamongthehost,encouragingthemwithcheeringwords,warningthemtobeinnowayintimidatedbythefierceappearanceoftheDanes,buttoholdsteadfastandfirmintheranks,andtoyieldnofootofgroundtotheonslaughtoftheenemy.Manypriestshadaccompaniedthecontingentsfromthereligioushouses,andtheseaddedtheirexhortationstothoseoftheleaders,tellingthementhatGodwouldassuredlyfightontheirsideagainsttheheathen,andbiddingeachmanrememberthatdefeatmeantthedestruction

oftheirchurchesandaltars,theoverthrowoftheirwholereligion,andtherestoredworshipofthepagangods.

Edmundwentaboutamongthegatheringtakinggreatinterestinthewildscene,forthesemarshmendifferedmuchintheirappearancefromthesettledinhabitantsofhisfather'slands.Thescenesinthecampwereindeedvariedintheircharacter.Hereandtherewereharperswithgroupsoflistenersgatheredround,astheysungtheexploitsoftheirfathers,andanimatedtheirhearerstofreshfireandenergybyrelatinglegendsofthecrueltyofthemercilessDanes.Othergroupsthereweresurroundingthepriests,whowereappealingtotheirreligiousfeelingsaswellastotheirpatriotism.

Mensataboutsharpeningtheirweapons,fixingonmorefirmlythehandlesoftheirshields,adjustingarrowstobowstrings,andpreparinginotherwaysforthecomingfight.Fromsomeofthefires,roundwhichthemarshmenweresitting,camesnatchesofboisteroussong,whilehereandthere,apartfromthecrowd,priestswerehearingconfessions,andshrivingpenitents.

Thenextmorningearly,oneofthescouts,whohad


20/163

beensenttoobservethemovementsoftheDanes,reportedthatthesewereissuingfromtheircamp,andadvancingintothecountry.

Algarmarshalledhishost,eachpartunderitsleaders,andmovedtomeetthem.NearKesteventhearmiescameinsightofeachother,andafteradvancinguntilbutashortdistanceapartbothhaltedtomarshaltheirranksanew.Eldred,withthemenofthemarshesnearCroylandandthecontingentfromtheabbey,hadtheirpostinthecentraldivision,whichwascommandedbyAlgarhimself,Edmundtookpostbyhisfather,andEgbertstoodbesidehim.

EdmundhadneverbeforeseentheDanes,andhecouldnotbutadmitthattheirappearancewasenoughtoshakethestoutestheart.Allcarriedgreatshieldscoveringthemfromheadtofoot.Thesewerecomposedofwood,bark,orleatherpaintedorembossed,andinthecasesofthechiefsplatedwithgoldandsilver.Solargewerethesethatinnavalencounters,ifthefearoffallingintotheenemy'shandsforcedthemtothrowthemselvesintothesea,theycouldfloatontheirshields;andafterdeathinbattleasoldierwascarriedtohisgraveonhisbuckler.AstheystoodfacingtheSaxonstheylockedtheirshieldstogethersoastoformabarrier

well-nighimpregnableagainstthearrows.

Allworehelmets,thecommonmenofleather,theleadersofironorcopper,whilemanyinadditionworecoatsofmail.Eachcarriedasword,abattle-axe,andabowandarrows.Someoftheswordswereshortandcurledlikeascimitar;otherswerelongandstraight,andwerewieldedwithbothhands.Theyworetheirhairlongandhangingdowntheirshoulders,andforthemostpartshavedtheircheeksandchins,butworetheirmoustachesverylong.

Theywere,forthemost,tall,lithe,andsinewymen,butphysicallyinnowaysuperiortotheSaxons,fromwhomthey

differedverywidelyincomplexion,theSaxonsbeingfairwhiletheDaneswereverydark,asmuchsoasmoderngypsies;indeed,theSaxonhistoriansspeakofthemastheblackpagans.UpontheotherhandmanyoftheNorthmen,beingScandinavians,wereasfairastheSaxonsthemselves.

TheDanesbeganthebattle,thoseinfrontshoutingfiercely,andstrikingtheirswordsontheirshieldswithaclashingnoise,whiletheranksbehindshotashowerofarrowsamongtheSaxons.Theseatoncereplied.Thecombatwasnotcontinuedlongatadistance,fortheDaneswithamightyshoutrushedupontheSaxons.Thesestoodtheirgroundfirmlyandadesperateconflictensued.TheSaxonchiefs

viedwitheachotherinactsofbravery,andsinglingouttheleadersoftheDanesengagedwiththeminhand-to-handconflict.

Algarhadplacedhisswordsmeninthefrontline,thosearmedwithspearsinthesecond;andastheswordsmenbattledwiththeDanesthespearmen,whentheysawashieldupliftedtoguardthehead,thrustunderwiththeirweaponsandslewmany.Edmund,seeingthatwithhisswordheshouldhavebutlittlechanceagainstthesefiercesoldiers,fellalittle


21/163

behindhisfatherandkinsman,andasthesewereengagedwiththeenemyhefromtimetotime,whenhesawanopportunity,rushedinanddeliveredathrustwithhisspearatanunguardedpoint.TheSaxonshoutsroselouderandlouderastheDanesinvainendeavouredtobreakthroughtheirline.Themonksfoughtstoutly,andmanyafierceNorsemanfellbeforetheirblows.

TheDanes,whohadnotexpectedsofirmaresistance,begantohesitate,andAlgargivingtheword,theSaxonstooktheoffensive,andthelinepressedforwardstepbystep.ThearcherspouredtheirarrowsinastormamongtheDanishranks.Thesefellbackbeforetheonslaught.Alreadythreeoftheirkingsandmanyoftheirprincipalleadershadfallen,andatlast,findingthemselvesunabletowithstandtheimpetuousonslaughtoftheSaxons,theyturnedandfledinconfusiontowardstheircamp.TheSaxonswithexultingshoutspursuedthem,andgreatnumberswereslaughtered.TheDaneshad,however,aswastheircustom,fortifiedthecampbeforeadvancing,andAlgardrewoffhistroops,deemingthatitwouldbebettertodefertheattackonthispositionuntilthefollowingday.

TherewashighfeastingintheSaxoncampthatevening,

butthiswasbroughttoanabruptconclusionbythearrivalofascout,whoreportedthatagreatDanisharmymarchingfromtheHumberwasapproachingthecampofthecompatriots.Thenewswasbuttootrue.ThekingsGuthorn,Bergsecg,Oskytal,Halfdene,andAmund,andtheJarlsFrene,Hingwar,Hubba,andthetwoSidrocs,withalltheirfollowers,hadmarcheddownfromYorkshiretojointheinvaderswhohadjustlanded.

ThenewsofthisimmensereinforcementspreadconsternationamongtheAngles.Invaintheirleaderswentaboutamongthemandexhortedthemtocourage,promisingthemanothervictoryasdecisiveasthattheyhadwonthatday.

Theirentreatieswereinvain,forwhenthemorningdawneditwasfoundthatthree-fourthsoftheirnumberhadleftthecampduringthenight,andhadmadeofftothemarshesandfastnesses.

Acouncilofthechiefswasheld.Thechancesofconflictappearedhopeless,sovastlyweretheyout-numberedbytheDanes.Algar,however,declaredthathewoulddieratherthanretreat.

"Ifweflynow,"hesaid,"allEastAngliawillfallintothehandsoftheheathen.Evenshouldwefightandfall,theexampleofwhatahandfulofbravemencandoagainstthe

invaderswillsurelyanimatetheAnglestofurtherresistance;whileifweconquer,sogreatablowwillbedealttotherenownoftheseDanesthatallEnglandwillriseagainstthem."

Onhearingthesewordsallthechiefscametothedeterminationtowinordieastheystood.EldredtookEdmundasideafterthisdeterminationhadbeenarrivedat.

"Myson,"hesaid,"Iallowedyouyesterdaytostandbymysideinbattle,andwellandworthilydidyoubearyourself,


22/163

butto-dayyoumustwithdraw.Thefightiswell-nighhopeless,andIbelievethatallwhotakepartinitaredoomedtoperish.Iwouldnotthatmyhouseshouldaltogetherdisappear,andshalldiemorecheerfullyinthehopethatsomedayyouwillavengemeupontheseheathen.Therefore,Edmund,Ibidyoutakestationatadistancebehindthebattle,sothatwhenyouseethedaygoesagainstusyoumayescapeintime.IshallurgeourfaithfulEgberttoendeavour,whenheseesthatallislost,tomakehiswayfromthefightandrejoinyou,andtojourneywithyoutoWessexandtherepresentyoutotheking.Formyself,ifthebattleislostIshalldieratherthanfly.SuchistheresolutionofAlgarandourotherbravechiefs,andEldredtheealdormanmustnotbetheonlyoneoftheleaderstorunfromthefray."

Edmundwasdeeplytouchedathisfather'swords,buttheparentalrulewassostrictinthosedaysthatitdidnotevenenterhismindtoprotestagainstEldred'sdecision.

AsthemorningwentontheDaneswereengagedinthefuneralceremoniesoftheirdeadkings,whiletheSaxons,quietandresolute,receivedtheholysacramentandpreparedforthefight.Algarchoseapositiononrisingground.HehimselfwithEldredcommandedthecentre,ToleyandMorcar

ledtherightwing,OsgotandHardingtheleft.

Eachofthesewingscontainedaboutfivehundredmen.Algar'scentre,whichwasalittlewithdrawnfromitswings,containedabout200ofhisbestwarriors,andwasdesignedasareserve,withwhich,ifneedbe,hecouldmovetotheassistanceofeitherofthewingswhichmightbesorelypressedandindanger.TheSaxonsformedinasolidmasswiththeirbucklerslinkedtogether.TheDanisharraywhichissuedoutfromtheircampwasvastlysuperiorinnumbers,andwascommandedbyfourkingsandeightjarlsorearls,whiletwokingsandfourearlsremainedinchargeofthecamp,andofthegreatcrowdofprisoners,forthemostpartwomenand

children,whomtheyhadbroughtwiththem.

WiththeDaneswhohadcomedownfromYorkshirewerealargebodyofhorsemen,whochargedfuriouslydownupontheSaxons;butthesemaintainedsofirmanarraywiththeirlancesandspearsprojectingoutwardthattheDanesfailedtobreakthroughthem,andaftermakingrepeatedeffortsandsufferingheavylosstheydrewback.ThentheDanisharchersandslingerspouredinastormofmissiles,buttheseeffectedbutlittleharm,astheSaxonsstoopedalittlebehindtheircloselypackedlineofbucklers,whichwerestoutenoughtokeepouttheshowerofarrows.Alldaythestrugglecontinued.AgainandagaintheDanesstrovetobreakthe

solidSaxonarray,andwithswordandbattle-axeattemptedtohewdownthehedgeofspears,butinvain.Atlasttheirleaders,convincedthattheycouldnotovercometheobstinacyoftheresistance,orderedtheirfollowerstofeignaretreat.

AstheDanesturnedtoflytheSaxonssetupatriumphantshout,andbreakinguptheirsolidphalanxrushedafterthemincompletedisorder.InvainAlgar,Osgot,Toley,Eldred,andtheotherleadersshoutedtothemtostandfirm.Wearyoftheirlonginactivity,andconvincedthattheDanes


23/163

wererouted,theSaxonspursuedthemacrosstheplain.SuddenlytheDanishhorse,whoafterfailingtobreakthroughtherankshadremainedapartatashortdistancefromtheconflict,dasheddownuponthedisorderedSaxons,whiletheflyinginfantryturningroundalsofelluponthemwithexultingshouts.

Takenwhollybysurprise,confusedanddisordered,theSaxonscouldoffernoeffectualoppositiontothecharge.TheDanishhorserodeamongthemhewingandslaying,andtheswordsandbattle-axesofthefootmencompletedthework.InafewminutesofalltheSaxonbandwhichhadforsomanyhourssuccessfullyresistedtheonslaughtoftheDanes,notonesurvivedsaveafewfleet-footedyoungmenwho,throwingawaytheirarms,succeededinmakingtheirescape,andalittlegroup,consistingofAlgar,Toley,Eldred,andtheotherleaderswhohadgatheredtogetherwhentheirmenbroketheirranksandhadtakenuptheirpositiononaknollofgroundrisingabovetheplain.HereforalongtimetheyresistedtheeffortsofthewholeoftheDanes,surroundingthemselveswithaheapofslain;butatlengthonebyonetheysuccumbedtotheDanishonslaught,eachfightingvaliantlytothelast.

FromhispositionatadistanceEdmundwatchedthelastdesperatestruggle.WithstreamingeyesandahearttornbyanxietyforhisfatherhecouldseetheDanishfoeswarmingroundthelittlebandwhodefendedthecrest.Thesewerelostfromhissight,andonlytheflashingofswordsshowedwherethestrugglewasstillgoingoninthecentreoftheconfusedmass.Edmundhadbeenonhiskneesforsometime,buthenowrose.

"Come,oldboy,"hesaidtothehound,wholaybesidehimwatchingthedistantconflictandoccasionallyutteringdeepangrygrowls."Imustobeymyfather'slastcommand;letusaway."

Hetookonemoreglanceatthedistantconflictbeforeturning.Itwasplainthatitwasnearlyfinished.Theswordshadwell-nighceasedtoriseandfallwhenhesawasuddenmovementinthethrongofDanesandsuddenlyamanburstoutfromthemandstartedatheadlongspeedtowardshim,pursuedbyanumberofDanes.EvenatthatdistanceEdmundthoughtthatherecognizedthetallfigureofhiskinsman,buthehadnotimetoassurehimselfofthis,andheatonce,accompaniedbythehound,setoffatthetopofhisspeedfromthefieldofbattle.Hehadfullyaquarterofamilestart,andbeingactiveandhardyandaccustomedtoexercisefromhischildhood,hehadnofearthattheDaneswould

overtakehim.Stillheranhishardest.

LookingoverhisshoulderfromtimetotimehesawthatatfirsttheDaneswhowerepursuingthefugitiveweregaininguponhimalso,butafteratimeheagainincreasedthedistance,while,beingunencumberedwithshieldorheavyweapons,thefugitivekepttheadvantagehehadatfirstgained.Threemilesfromthebattle-fieldEdmundreachedtheedgeofawide-spreadingwood.LookingroundasheentereditsshelterhesawthattheflyingSaxonwasstillaboutaquarter


24/163

ofamilebehindhim,andthattheDanes,despairingofover-takinghim,hadceasedtheirpursuit.Edmundthereforecheckedhisfootstepsandawaitedthearrivalofthefugitive,whohenowfeltcertainwashiskinsman.

InafewminutesEgbertcameup,havingslackenedhisspeedconsiderablywhenhesawthathewasnolongerpursued.Hewasbleedingfromseveralwounds,andnowthatthenecessityforexertionhadpassedhewalkedbutfeeblyalong.WithoutawordheflunghimselfonthegroundbyEdmundandburiedhisfaceinhisarms,andtheladcouldseebytheshakingofhisbroadshouldersthathewasweepingbitterly.Thegreathoundwalkeduptotheprostratefigureandgaveventtoalongandpiteoushowl,andthenlyingdownbyEgbert'ssideplacedhisheadonhisshoulder.

CHAPTERIII:THEMASSACREATCROYLAND

Edmundweptsorelyforsometime,forheknewthathiskinsman'sagitationcouldbeonlycausedbythedeathofhisfather.AtlastheapproachedEgbert.

"Mybravekinsman,"hesaid,"Ineedaskyounoquestions,forIknowbuttoowellthatmydearfatherhasfallen;butrouseyourself,Iprayyou;letmebandageyourwounds,whichbleedfast,foryouwillwantallyourstrength,andwemustneedspursueourwaywellintotheforest,forwithto-morrow'sdawntheDaneswillscatteroverthewholecountry."

"Yes,"Egbertsaid,turningroundandsittingup,"Imustnotinmygriefforgetmymission,andintruthIamfaint

withlossofblood.ItwaswelltheDanesstoppedwhentheydid,forIfeltmystrengthfailingme,andcouldhaveheldoutbutlittlefurther.Yes,Edmund,"hecontinued,asthelad,tearingstripsfromhisgarments,proceededtobandagehiswounds,"yourfatherisdead.Nobly,indeed,didhefight;noblydidhedie,withacircleofdeadDanesaroundhim.He,Algar,Toley,andmyselfwerethelastfourtoresist.Backtobackwestood,andmanyweretheDaneswhofellbeforeourblows.ToleyfellfirstandthenAlgar.TheDanesclosedcloseraroundus.Stillwefoughton,tillyourfatherwasbeatentohisknee,andthenhecriedtome,'Fly,Egbert,tomyson.'ThenIflungmyselfupontheDaneslikeawildboaruponthedogs,andwiththesuddennessofmyrushandtheheavy

blowsofmybattle-axecutawayformyselfthroughthem.Itwaswell-nighamiracle,andIcouldscarcebelieveitwhenIwasfree.IflungawaymyshieldandhelmetassoonasIhadwellbeguntorun,forIfeltthebloodgushingoutfromadozenwounds,andknewthatIshouldwantallmystrength.Isooncaughtsightofyourunningaheadofme.HadIfoundweweregaininguponyouIshouldhaveturnedoffandmadeanotherwaytoleadtheDanesaside,butIsoonsawthatyouwereholdingyourown,andsofollowedstraighton.Mykneestrembled,andIfeltmystrengthwaswell-nighgone,when,


25/163

lookinground,IfoundtheDaneshaddesistedfromtheirpursuit.Igrieve,Edmund,thatIshouldhaveleftthebattlealivewhenalltheothershavediedbravely,for,saveafewfleet-footedyouths,IbelievethatnotasingleSaxonhasescapedthefight;butyourfatherhadlaidhiscommandsuponme,andIwasforcedtoobey,thoughGodknowsIwouldratherhavediedwiththeheroesonthatfield."

"'Tiswellformethatyoudidnot,mygoodEgbert,"Edmundsaid,dryinghiseyes,"forwhatshouldIhavedoneinthistroubledlandwithoutoneprotector?"

"Itwasthethoughtofthat,"Egbertsaid,"thatseemedtogivemestrengthasIdashedattheDanes.Andnow,methinks,Iamstrongenoughtowalkagain.Letusmakeourwayfarintotheforest,thenwemustrestforthenight.Afewhours'sleepwillmakeafreshmanofme,andto-morrowmorningwewillgotoCroylandandseewhatthegoodabbotyouruncleproposestodo,thenwillwetothehutwherewedweltbeforecominghither.Wewilldigupthechestandtakeoutsuchvaluablesaswecancarry,andthenmakeforWessex.Afterthisday'sworkIhavenolongeranyhopethatEastAngliawillsuccessfullyopposetheDanes.AndyettheAnglesfoughtwell,andforeveryoneofthemwhohasfallen

inthesetwodays'fightingatleastfourDanesmusthaveperished.Haveyoufood,Edmund,forintruthaftersuchaday'sworkIwouldnotliedownsupperless?"

"Ihaveinmypouchhere,Egbert,somecakes,whichIcookedthismorning,andacaponwhichoneofthemonksofCroylandgaveme.IwastemptedtothrowitawayasIran."

"Iamrightglad,Edmund,thatthetemptationwasnottoostrongforyou.Ifwecanfindaspringweshalldowell."

Itwasnowgettingdark,butafteranhour'swalkthrough

theforesttheycameuponarunningstream.Theylitafirebyitsside,andsittingdownatethesupper,ofwhichbothwereinmuchneed.Wolfsharedtherepast,andthenthethreelaydowntosleep.Egbert,overcomebytheimmenseexertionshehadmadeduringthefight,wassoonasleep;butEdmund,whohaddonehisbesttokeepabravefacebeforehiskinsman,weptforhoursoverthelossofhisgallantfather.

OnthefollowingmorningEgbertandEdmundstartedforCroyland.ThenewsofthedefeatatKestevenhadalreadyreachedtheabbey,andterrorandconsternationreignedthere.Edmundwentatoncetohisuncleandinformed

himofthecircumstanceofthedeathofhisfatherandtheannihilationoftheSaxonarmy.

"Yournews,Edmund,isevenworsethantherumourswhichhadreachedme,anddeeplydoIgrieveforthelossofmybravebrotherandofthemanyvaliantmenwhodiedwithhim.Thiseveningorto-morrowthespoilerswillbehere,anddoubtlesswilldotoCroylandastheyhavedonetoalltheotherabbeysandmonasterieswhichhavefallenintotheirhands.BeforetheycomeyouandEgbertmustbefar


26/163

away.Haveyoubethoughtyouwhitheryouwillbetakeyourselves?"

"WearegoingtothekingoftheWestSaxons,"Edmundreplied."Suchwasmyfather'sintention,andIfearthatallisnowlostinEastAnglia."

"'Tisyourbestcourse,andmayGod'sblessingandprotectionrestuponyou!"

"Butwhatareyougoingtodo,uncle?SurelyyouwillnotremainhereuntiltheDanesarrive,forthoughtheymayspareothermentheyhavenomercyonpriestsandmonks?"

"Ishallassuredlyremainhere,Edmund,atmypost,andasmybrotherEldredandEarlAlgarandtheirbravecompanionsdiedattheirpostsinthefieldofbattle,soIampreparedtodieherewhereGodhasplacedme.Ishallretainherewithmeonlyafewofthemostagedandinfirmmonks,toooldtoflyortosupportthehardshipsofthelifeofahuntedfugitiveinthefens;togetherwithsomeofthechildrenwhohavefledhere,andwho,too,couldnotsupportsuchalife.ItmaybethatwhenthefierceDanesarriveandfindnoughtbutchildrenandagedmeneventheir

savagebreastsmaybemovedtopity;butifnot,God'swillbedone.Theyoungerbrethrenwillseekrefugeinthefens,andwillcarrywiththemthesacredrelicsofthemonastery.ThemostholybodyofSt.Guthlacwithhisscourgeandpsalmistry,togetherwiththemostvaluablejewelsandmuniments,thechartersofthefoundationoftheabbey,givenbyKingEthelbald,andtheconfirmationthereofbyotherkings,withsomeofthemostpreciousgiftspresentedtotheabbey."

EdmundandEgbertsettoworktoassisttheweepingmonksinmakingpreparationsfortheirdeparture.Aboatwasladenwiththerelicsofthesaints,themunimentsoftheking,andthemostpreciousvessels.Thetableofthegreat

altarcoveredwithplatesofgold,whichKingWichtlofhadpresented,withtengoldchalices,andmanyothervessels,wasthrownintothewelloftheconvent.

Inthedistancethesmokeofseveralvillagescouldnowbeseenrisingovertheplain,anditwasclearthattheDaneswereapproaching.Thetenpriestsandtwentymonkswhoweretoleavenowknelt,andreceivedthesolemnbenedictionoftheabbot,then,withEdmundandEgbert,theytooktheirplacesintheboatandrowedawaytothewoodofAncarig,whichlaynotfarfromtheabbey.

TheabbotTheodoreandtheagedmonksandpriests

nowreturnedtothechurch,and,puttingontheirvestments,commencedtheservicesoftheday;theabbothimselfcelebratedhighmass,assistedbybrotherElfgetthedeacon,brotherSavinthesub-deacon,andthebrothersEgelredandWyelric,youthswhoactedastaper-bearers.Whenthemasswasfinished,justastheabbotandhisassistantshadpartakenoftheholycommunion,theDanesburstintothechurch.TheabbotwasslainupontheholyaltarbythehandoftheDanishkingOskytal,andtheotherpriestsandmonkswerebeheadedbytheexecutioner.


27/163

Theoldmenandchildreninthechoirwereseizedandtorturedtodisclosewherethetreasuresoftheabbeywereconcealed,andwerealsoputtodeathwiththepriorandsub-prior.Turgar,anacolyteoftenyearsofage;aremarkablybeautifulboy,stoodbythesideofthesub-priorashewasmurderedandfearlesslyconfrontedtheDanes,andbadethemputhimtodeathwiththeholyfather.TheyoungEarlSidroc,however,struckwiththebearingofthechild,andbeingmovedwithcompassion,strippedhimofhisrobeandcowl,andthrewoverhimalongDanishtunicwithoutsleeves,andorderinghimtokeepclosebyhim,madehiswayoutofthemonastery,theboybeingtheonlyonewhowassavedfromthegeneralmassacre.

TheDanes,furiousatbeingabletofindnoneofthetreasuresofthemonastery,brokeopenalltheshrinesandlevelledthemarbletombs,includingthoseofSt.Guthlac,theholyvirginEthelbritha,andmanyothers,butfoundinthesenoneofthetreasuresearchedfor.Theypiledthebodiesofthesaintsinaheap,andburnedthem,togetherwiththechurchandallthebuildingsofthemonastery;then,withvastherdsofcattleandotherplunder,theymovedawayfromCroyland,andattackedthemonasteryofMedeshamsted.

Herethemonksmadeabraveresistance.TheDanesbroughtupmachinesandattackedthemonasteryonallsides,andeffectedabreachinthewalls.Theirfirstassault,however,wasrepelled,andFulba,thebrotherofEarlHulba,wasdesperatelywoundedbyastone.

Hulbawassoinfuriatedatthisthatwhen,atthesecondassault,themonasterywascaptured,heslewwithhisownhandeveryoneofthemonks,whileallthecountrypeoplewhohadtakenrefugewithinthewallswereslaughteredbyhiscompanions,notoneescaping.Thealtarswerelevelledtotheground,themonumentsbrokeninpieces.Thegreatlibraryofparchmentsandcharterswasburnt.Theholyrelics

weretroddenunderfoot,andthechurchitself,withallthemonasticbuildings,burnttotheground.Fourdayslater,theDanes,havingdevastatedthewholecountryroundandcollectedanenormousbooty,marchedawayagainstHuntingdon.

EdmundandEgbertremainedbutafewhourswiththemonkswhohadescapedfromthesackofCroyland;for,assoonastheysawtheflamesmountingupabovethechurch,theyknewthattheDaneshadaccomplishedtheirusualworkofmassacre,andtherebeingnouseintheirmakingfurtherstay,theystartedupontheirjourney.Theytravelledbyeasystages,fortimewasofnovaluetothem.Forthemostpart

theirwaylayamongforests,andwhenoncetheyhadpassedsouthofThetfordtheyhadnofearofmeetingwiththeDanes.Sometimestheysleptatfarm-housesorvillages,beingeverywherehospitablyreceived,themoresowhenitwasknownthatEdmundwasthesonofthebraveealdormanEldred;butthenewswhichtheybroughtofthedisastrousbattleofKesteven,andthesouthwardmarchofthegreatDanisharmy,filledeveryonewithconsternation.

Themaidsandmatronsweptwithterroratthethought


28/163

ofthecomingoftheseterribleheathen,andalthoughthemeneverywherespokeofresistancetothelast,theprospectseemedsohopelessthateventhebravestwerefilledwithgriefanddespair.Manyspokeofleavingtheirhomesandretiringwiththeirwivesandfamilies,theirserfsandherdstothecountryoftheWestSaxons,wherealonethereappearedanyhopeofasuccessfulresistancebeingmade.WherevertheywentEdmundandEgbertbroughtbytheirnewslamentationandwoetothehouseholdstheyentered,andatlastEdmundsaid:

"Egbert,letusenternomorehousesuntilwereachtheendofourjourney;whereverwegowearemessengersofevil,andturnhousesoffeastingintoabodesofgrief.Everynightwehavethesamesadstorytotell,andhavetowitnesstheweepingandwailingofwomen.Athousandtimesbetterwereittosleepamongthewoods,atanyrateuntilweareamongtheWestSaxons,whereournewsmaycauseindignationandrageatleast,butwhereitwillarouseabraveresolvetoresisttothelastinsteadofthehopelessnessofdespair."

Egbertthoroughlyagreedwiththelad,andhenceforththeyenterednohousessavetobuybreadandmead.Ofmeattheyhadplenty,forastheypassedthroughtheforestsWolfwasalwaysuponthealert,andseveraltimesfoundawild

boarinhislair,andkepthimatbayuntilEdmundandEgbertranupandwithspearsandswordsslewhim.Thissuppliedthemamplywithmeat,andgavethemindeedfarmorethantheycouldeat,buttheyexchangedportionsofthefleshforbreadinthevillages.AtlasttheycamedownupontheThamesnearLondon,andcrossingtheriverjourneyedwest.TheywerenowinthekingdomoftheWestSaxons,themostwarlikeandvaliantofthepeoplesofEngland,andwhohadgraduallyextendedtheirswayoverthewholeofthecountry.Theunionwasindeedbutlittlemorethannominal,astheotherkingsretainedtheirthrones,payingonlyatributetotheWestSaxonmonarchs.

AsEgberthadpredicted,theirtaleofthebattleofKestevenherearousednofeelingsavethatofwrathandadesireforvengeanceupontheDanes.Swordsweregrasped,andallsworebythesaintsofwhatshouldhappentotheinvadersshouldtheysetfootinWessex.Thetravellersfelttheirspiritsriseatthemartialanddeterminedaspectofthepeople.

"Itisasadpity,"EgbertsaidtoEdmundoneday,"thattheseWestSaxonshadnothadtimetouniteEnglandfirmlytogetherbeforetheDanessetfootontheisland.Itisourdivisionswhichhaverenderedtheirtasksofareasy.Northumbria,Mercia,andEastAngliahaveonebyonebeen

invaded,andtheirkingshavehadtofightsingle-handedagainstthem,whereashadonestrongkingreignedoverthewholecountry,sothatallourforcecouldhavebeenexertedagainsttheinvaderwhereverhemightland,theDaneswouldneverhavewonafootofoursoil.ThesaddayofKestevenshowedatleastthatweareabletofighttheDanesmanforman.Thefirstdaywebeatthem,thoughtheywereinsuperiornumbers,thesecondwewithstoodthemallday,althoughtheyweretentooneagainstus,andtheywouldneverhavetriumphedeventhenhadourmenlistenedtotheir


29/163

leadersandkepttheirranks.IdonotbelievethateventheWestSaxonscouldhavefoughtmorebravelythandidourmenonthatday;buttheyarebetterorganized,theirkingisenergeticanddetermined,andwhentheDanesinvadeWessextheywillfindthemselvesopposedbythewholepeopleinsteadofmerelyahastilyraisedassemblagegatheredintheneighbourhood."

TheypresentlyapproachedReading,wheretherewasaroyalfortress,inwhichKingEthelredandhisbrotherAlfredwereresiding.

"Itistrulyafinecity,"Edmundsaidasheapproachedit;"itswallsarestrongandhigh,andtheroyalpalace,whichrisesabovethem,isindeedastatelybuilding."

Theycrossedtheriverandenteredthegatesofthetown.Therewasgreatbustleandtrafficinthestreets,cynings,ornobles,passedalongaccompaniedbypartiesofthanes,serfsladenwithfuelorprovisionsmadetheirwayinfromthesurroundingcountry,whilefreemen,withtheirshieldsflungacrosstheirshouldersandtheirswordsbytheirsides,stalkedwithanindependentairdownthestreets.

Thetravellersapproachedtheroyalresidence.Thegateswereopen,andnonehinderedtheirentrance,forallwhohadbusinesswerefreetoentertheroyalpresenceandtolaytheircomplaintsorpetitionsbeforetheking.

Enteringtheyfoundthemselvesinalargehall.Thelowerendofthiswasoccupiedbymanypeople,whoconversedtogetherinlittlegroupsorawaitedthesummonsoftheking.Acrosstheupperendoftheroomwasaraiseddais,andinthecentreofthiswasawidechaircapableofholdingthreepersons.Thebackandsideswerehighandrichlycarved.Atablesupportedbyfourcarvedandgildedlegsstoodbeforeit.Twopersonswereseatedinthechair.

Onewasamanofthreeorfourandtwenty,theotherwashisjuniorbysometwoyears.Bothworelightcrownsofgoldsomewhatdifferentintheirfashion.Beforetheyoungerwasaparchment,aninkhorn,andpens.KingEthelredwasamanofapleasantface,butmarkedbycareandbylongvigilsandrigorousfastings.Alfredwasasingularlyhandsomeyoungprince,withanearnestandintellectualface.Bothhadtheirfacesshavensmooth.Ethelredworehishairpartedinthemiddle,andfallinglowoneachsideoftheface,butAlfred'swascloselycut.Onthetableneartheyoungerbrotherstoodasilverharp.

Edmundlookedwithgreatcuriosityandinterestontheyoungprince,whowasfamousthroughoutEnglandforhisgreatlearning,hiswisdom,andsweetnessoftemper.Althoughtheyoungestoftheking'sbrothers,hehadalwaysbeenregardedasthefutureKingofEngland,andhadhisfathersurviveduntilhereachedtheageofmanhood,hewouldprobablyhavesucceededdirectlytothethrone.ThelawofprimogeniturewasbynomeansstrictlyobservedamongtheSaxons,ayoungerbrotherofmarkedabilityorofdistinguishedprowessinwarbeingoftenchosenbyafather


30/163

tosucceedhiminplaceofhiselderbrothers.

Alfredhadbeenhisfather'sfavouriteson.HehadwhenachildbeenconsecratedbythepopeasfutureKingofEngland;andhistwojourneystoRome,andhisresidenceatthecourtoftheFrankishkinghad,withhisowngreatlearningandstudy,givenhimahighprestigeandreputationamonghispeopleasonelearnedinthewaysoftheworld.Althoughbutaprince,hisauthorityinthekingdomnearlyequalledthatofhisbrother,anditwasheratherthanEthelredwhommenregardedasthepropandstayoftheSaxonsintheperilswhichwerenowthreateningthem.

Oneafteranother,personsadvancedtothetableandlaidtheircomplaintsbeforetheking;incasesofdisputebothpartieswerepresentandwereoftenaccompaniedbywitnesses.EthelredandAlfredlistenedattentivelytoallthatwassaidonbothsides,andthengavetheirjudgment.Anhourpassed,andthenseeingthatnooneelseapproachedthetable,Egbert,takingEdmundbythehand,ledhimforwardandkneltbeforetheroyaltable.

"Whomhavewehere?"thekingsaid."Thisyouthisbyhisattireoneofnoblerace,butIknownothisface."

"Wehavecome,sirking,"Egbertsaid,"asfugitivesandsuppliantstoyou.ThisisEdmund,thesonofEaldormanEldred,avaliantcyningofEastAnglia,who,afterfightingbravelyagainsttheDanesnearThetford,joinedEarlAlgar,anddiedbyhissideonthefatalfieldofKesteven.Hehadhimselfpurposedtocomehithertoyouandtoaskyoutoaccepthimasyourthane,andonthemornofthebattlehechargedmeifhefelltobringhitherhissontoyou;andweprayyoutoaccept,intokenofourhomagetoyou,thesevessels."

Andhereheplacedtwohandsomegobletsofsilvergilt

uponthetable.

"Iprayyourise,"thekingsaid."IhaveassuredlyheardofthebraveEldred,andwillgladlyreceivehissonasmythane.IhadnotheardofEldred'sdeath,thoughtwodayssincetherumourofaheavydefeatoftheEastAnglesatKesteven,andthesacrilegiousdestructionoftheholyhousesofBardenay,Croyland,andMedeshamstedreachedourears.Wereyoupresentatthebattle?"

"Iwas,sirking,"Egbertsaid,"andfoughtbesideEarlAlgarandmykinsmantheEaldormanEldreduntilbothwereslainbytheDanes,andIwithdifficultycutmywaythrough

themandescapedtocarryoutmykinsman'sordersregardinghisson."

"Youareastoutchampionyourself,"thekingsaid,regardingwithadmirationEgbert'shugeproportions;"buttellusthestoryofthisbattle,ofwhichatpresentbutvaguerumourshavereachedus."EgbertrelatedtheincidentsofthebattleofKesteven."Itwasbravelyfought,"thekingsaidwhenhehadconcluded;"rightwellandbravely,andbetterfortuneshouldhaveattendedsuchvalour.Trulythebrave


31/163

AlgarhasshownthatweSaxonshavenotlostthebraverywhichdistinguishedourancestors,andthat,manforman,weareequaltotheseheathenDanes."

"Butmethinks,"PrinceAlfredsaid,"thatthebraveAlgarandhisvaliantcompanionsdidwrongtothrowawaytheirliveswhenallwaslost.Solongasthereistheremotestchanceofvictoryitisthedutyofaleadertosetanexampleofvalourtohisfollowers,butwhenallislostheshouldthinkofhiscountry.WhatthoughthebravethanessleweachascoreofDanesbeforetheydied,theirdeathhaslefttheircountrymenwithoutaleader,andbythatonebattletheDaneshavemadethemselvesmastersofthenorthofEastAnglia.Betterfarhadthey,whenthedaywaslost,retreated,togatherthepeopletogetherwhenabetteropportunitypresenteditself,andagaintomakeheadagainsttheinvaders.ItisheathenratherthanChristianwarfarethustothrowawaytheirlivesratherthantoretreatandwaitforGod'stimetocomeagain.Tostakeallononethrow,whichiflostlosesawholepeople,seemstometheactofagamester.Itrustthat,shouldthetimeevercome,asitistoomuchtobefeareditwillerelong,thattheDanesinvademybrother'skingdomofWessex,Ishallnotbefoundwantingincourage;butassuredlywhendefeatedinbattleIwouldnotthrowawaymylife,forthat

belongstoourpeopleratherthantomyself,butwouldretiretosomerefugeuntilIcouldagaingathertheSaxonsaroundmeandattacktheinvaders.Ilikethefaceoftheyoungealdorman,anddoubtnotthathewillproveavaliantwarriorlikehisfather.Mybrotherwilldoubtlessassignhimlandsforhismaintenanceandyours;butifhewillletmeIwillattachhimtomyperson,andwillbeatonceamasterandafriendtohim.Wouldstthoulikethis,youngEdmund?"

Thelad,greatlypleasedattheyoungprince'skindnessofspeechandmanner,repliedenthusiasticallythathewouldfollowhimtothedeathifhewouldaccepthimashisfaithfulthane.

"Hadthetimesbeenmorepeaceful,Edmund,"Alfredsaid,"IwouldfainhaveimpartedtoyousomeofthelittleknowledgethatIhavegained,forIseeanintelligenceinyourfacewhichtellsmethatyouwouldhaveprovedanaptandeagerpupil;but,alas,inthedaysthatarecomingitistheswordratherthanthebookwhichwillprevail,andthecaresofstate,andthedefenceofthecountry,willshortlyengrossallmytimeandleavemebutlittleleisureforthestudiesIlovesowell."

"Therearethelands,"thekingsaid,"ofEabald,EaldormanofSherborne,inDorset.Hediedbutlastweek

andhasleftnochildren.TheselandsIwillgranttoEdmundinreturnforliegeandtrueservice."Theladkneltbeforetheking,and,kissinghishand,sworetobehistrueandfaithfulthane,andtospendland,goods,andlifeinhisservice.

"Andnow,"thekingsaid,"sincetheaudienceisover,andnoneothercomesbeforeuswithpetitions,wewillretiretoourprivateapartments,andtheremybrotherAlfredwillpresentyoutothefairElswitha,hiswife."


32/163

TheroomintowhichEgbertandEdmundfollowedthekingandhisbrotherwasspaciousandlofty.Thewallswerecoveredwithhangingsofredcloth,andathickbrownbaizecoveredthefloor.Theceilingwaspaintedadarkbrownwithmuchgilding.Roundthesidesoftheroomstoodseveraldressersofcarvedoak,uponwhichstoodgoldandsilvercups.

Onatablewereseveralilluminatedvellums.AtCroylandEdmundhadseenacivilizationfarinadvanceofthattowhichhehadbeenaccustomedinhisfather'sabode;buthesawhereadegreeofluxuryandsplendourwhichsurprisedhim.Alfredhad,duringhistwovisitstoRome,learnedtoappreciatethehighdegreeofcivilizationwhichreignedthere,andmanyofthearticlesoffurnitureandotherobjectswhichmetEdmund'seyehehadbroughtwithhimonhisreturnwithhisfatherfromthatcity.

Acrosstheupperendoftheroomwasalongtablelaidwithawhitecloth.Elswithawassittinginalargegildedchairbythegreatfirewhichwasblazingonthehearth.

PrinceAlfredpresentedEdmundandEgberttoher.ElswithawaswellacquaintedwiththeEaldormanEldred,as

hislandslayontheveryborderofhernativeMercia,andshereceivedtheladandhiskinsmanwithgreatkindness.Inashorttimetheytooktheirplacesattable.Firsttheattendancebroughtinbowlscontainingbroth,whichtheypresented,kneeling,toeachofthoseattable.Thebrothwasdrunkfromthebowlitself;thenasilvergobletwasplacedbyeachdiner,andwasfilledwithwine.Fishwasnextserved.Plateswereplacedbeforeeach;butinsteadoftheircuttingfoodwiththeirowndaggers,asEdmundhadbeenaccustomedtoseeinhisfather'shouse,kniveswerehandedround.Afterthefishcamevenison,followedbywildboar,chickens,andothermeats.Aftertheseconfections,composedchieflyofhoney,wereplacedonthetable.ThekingandPrince

Alfredpledgedtheirguestswhentheydrank.Noforkswereused,themeatascutbeingtakenupbypiecesofbreadtothemouth.Duringthemealaharperplayedandsung.

Edmundobservedthedecorumwithwhichhisroyalhostsfed,andthecarewhichtheytooktoavoiddippingtheirfingersintotheirsaucersortheirplates.Hewasalsostruckwiththesmallamountofwinewhichtheytook;fortheSaxonsingeneralwerelargefeeders,anddrankheavilyattheirmeals.

Whenthedinnerwasoverapagebroughtroundabasinofwarmwater,inwhichlavenderhadbeencrushed,and

eachdippedhisfingersinthisandthendriedthemonthecloth.ThenatPrinceAlfred'srequestEgbertagainrelatedinfullthedetailsofthetwodays'desperatestruggleatKesteven,givingthemostminuteparticularsoftheDanes'methodoffighting.EgbertandEdmundthenretiredtotheroyalguest-houseadjoiningthepalace,whereapartmentswereassignedtothem.

AfterremainingforaweekatReadingtheytookleaveofthekingandstartedforthelandswhichhehadassigned


33/163

toEdmund.Theywereaccompaniedbyanofficeroftheroyalhousehold,whowastoinformthefreemenandserfsoftheestatethatbytheking'spleasureEdmundhadbeenappointedealdormanofthelands.Theyfoundonarrivalthatthehousehadbeennewlybuilt,andwaslargeandcomfortable.Thethanesofthedistrictspeedilycameintopaytheirrespectstotheirnewealdorman,andalthoughsurprisedtofindhimsoyoung,theywerepleasedwithhisbearingandmanner,andknowingthathecameofgoodfightingblooddoubtednotthatintimehewouldmakeavaliantleader.Allwhocamewerehospitablyentertained,andformanydaystherewashighfeasting.SofarremovedwasthispartofEnglandfromthedistrictwhichtheDaneshadinvaded,thatatpresentbutslightalarmhadbeencausedbythem;butEdmundandhiskinsmanlostnotimeinimpressinguponthemthegreatnessofthecomingdanger.

"Youmaybesure,"hesaid,"thaterelongweshallseetheirgalleysonthecoast.WhentheyhaveeatenupMerciaandAngliatheywillassuredlycomehither,andweshallhavetofightforourlives,andunlessweareprepareditwillgohardwithus."

Afterhehadbeenathisnewresidenceforamonth

Edmundsentoutmessengerstoallthethanesinhisdistrictrequestingthemtoassembleatacouncil,andthenformallylaidthematterbeforethem.

"Itis,aboveallthings,"hesaid,"necessarythatweshouldhavesomeplacewherewecanplacethewomenandchildrenincaseofinvasionandwherewecanourselvesretireinextremenecessity.ThereforeIproposethatweshallbuildafortofsufficientsizetocontainalltheinhabitantsofthedistrict,withmanyflocksandherds.MycousinEgberthasriddenfaroverthecountry,andrecommendsthattheRomanfortificationatMoorcastershallbeutilized.Itislargeinextent,andhasadoublecircleofearthenbanks.These

differfromthosewhichwearewonttobuild,sinceweSaxonsalwaysfillupthegroundsoastobeflatwiththetopoftheearthenbanks,whiletheRomanslefttheirshollow.However,thespaceissolargethatitwouldtakeavastlabourtofillitup,thereforeIproposethatweshouldmerelythickenthebanks,andshould,inSaxoncustom,buildawallwithturretsuponthem.TheslopingbanksalonewouldbebutasmallprotectionagainsttheonslaughtoftheDanes,butstonewallsareanothermatter,andcouldonlybecarriedafteralongsiege.Ifyoufallinwithmyviewsyouwilleachofyousendhalfyourserfstocarryoutthework,andIwilldothesame,andwill,moreover,payfiftyfreemenwhomaydothesquaringofthestonesandtheproperlayingofthem."

Theproposalledtoalongdiscussion,assomethoughtthattherewasnooccasionasyettotakesuchameasure;butthethanesfinallyagreedtocarryoutEdmund'sproposal.

CHAPTERIV:THEINVASIONOFWESSEX


34/163

EdmundandEgbertdevotedmostoftheirtimetothebuildingofthenewfort,livingverysimply,andexpendedthewholeoftherevenuesofthelandsonthepaymentofthefreemenandmasonsengageduponthework.TheRomanfortwasaparallelogram,thesidesbeingabout200yardslong,andtheendshalfthatlength.Itwassurroundedbytwoearthenbankswithwideditches.Theseweredeepenedconsiderably,andtheslopeswerecutdownmoresharply.Theinnerbankwaswideneduntilitwas15feetacrossthetop.

Onthisthewallwasbuilt.Itwasfacedonbothsideswithsquarestones,thespacebetweenfilledupwithrubbleandcement,thetotalthicknessbeing4feet.Theheightofthewallwas8feet,andatintervalsof30yardsaparttowerswereraised10feetaboveit,oneofthesebeingplacedateithersideoftheentrance.Herethebankwascutaway,andsolidbuttressesofmasonrysupportedthehighgates.Theopeningintheouterbankwasnotoppositetothegateintheinner,beingfiftyyardsaway,sothatanywhoenteredbyitwouldhaveforthatdistancetofollowtheditchbetweenthe

twobanks,exposedtothemissilesofthoseonthewallbeforearrivingattheinnergate.

Fivehundredmenlabouredincessantlyatthework.Thestoneforthewallswasfortunatelyfoundcloseathand,but,notwithstandingthis,theworktooknearlysixmonthstoexecute;deepwellsweresunkinthecentreofthefort,andbythismeansanamplesupplyofwaterwassecured,howeverlargemightbethenumberwithinit.

AveryshorttimeafterthecommencementoftheworkthenewsarrivedthatKingEdmundofEastAngliahadgatheredhisforcestogetherandhadmettheDanesinagreat

battlenearThetfordonSundaythe20thofNovember,andhadbeentotallydefeatedbythem,Edmundhimselfhavingbeentakenprisoner.Thecaptiveking,afterhavingbeenforalongtimecruellytorturedbytheDanes,wasshottodeathwitharrows.ItwasnotlongafterthisthatnewscamethatthewholeofEastAngliahadfallenintothehandsoftheDanes.

EarlyinthemonthofFebruary,871,justasthewallsofhisforthadbeguntorise,amessengerarrivedfromthekingbiddingEdmundassembleallthemeninhisearlshipandmarchatoncetojoinhimnearDevizes,asthenewshadcomethatagreatDanishfleethadsaileduptheThamesand

hadalreadycapturedtheroyaltownofReading.

Messengersweresentoutinalldirections,andearlythenextmorning,400menhavingassembled,EdmundandhiskinsmanmarchedawaywiththemtowardsDevizes.Upontheirarrivalatthattowntheyfoundthekingandhisbrotherwith8000men,andthefollowingdaythearmymovedeasttowardsReading.

Theyhadnotmarchedmanymilesbeforeamessenger


35/163

arrivedsayingthattwooftheDanishjarlswithagreatfollowinghadgoneouttoplunderthecountry,thattheyhadbeenencounteredbyAethelwulf,EarlofBerkshire,withhismenatEnglefield,andafiercebattlehadtakenplace.TheSaxonshadgainedthevictory,andgreatnumbersoftheDaneshadbeenslain,Sidroc,oneoftheirjarls,beingamongthefallen.

ThreedayslatertheroyalarmyarrivedinsightofReading,beingjoinedontheirmarchbyAethelwulfandhismen.TheDaneshadthrownupagreatrampartbetweentheThamesandtheKennet,andmanywerestillatworkonthisfortification.ThesewerespeedilyslainbytheSaxons,buttheirsuccesswasashortone.Themainbodyoftheinvadersswarmedoutfromthecityandadesperateengagementtookplace.

TheSaxonsfoughtvaliantly,ledbythekingandPrinceAlfred;butbeingwhollyundisciplinedandunaccustomedtowartheywereunabletowithstandtheonslaughtoftheDanes,whofoughtinbetterorder,keepingtogetherinranks:afterfourhours'hardfightingtheSaxonswerecompelledtofallback.

TheyralliedagainafewmilesfromReading.EthelredandAlfredwentamongthembiddingthembeofgoodcheer,forthatanothertime,whentheyfoughtinbetterorder,theywouldgainthevictory;andthattheirlosshadnotbeengreaterthantheDanes,onlythatunhappilythevaliantEaldormanAethelwulfhadbeenslain.FreshmessengersweresentthroughoutthecountrybiddingallthemenofWessextorallyroundtheirking,andonthefourthmorningafterthedefeatEthelredfoundhimselfattheheadoflargerforcesthanhadfoughtwithhiminthelastbattle.

TheDaneshadmovedoutfromReadingandhadtakenpostatAshdown,andastheSaxonarmyapproachedthey

wereseentobedividedintotwobodies,oneofwhichwascommandedbytheirtwokingsandtheotherbytwojarls.TheSaxonsthereforemadeasimilardivisionoftheirarmy,thekingcommandingonedivisionandPrinceAlfredtheother.

EdmundwiththemenofSherbornewasinthedivisionofAlfred.TheDanesadvancedtotheattackandfellwithfuryuponthem.Ithadbeenarrangedthatthisdivisionshouldnotadvancetotheattackuntilthatcommandedbythekingwasalsoputinmotion.ForsometimeAlfredandhismensupportedtheassaultsoftheDanes,andthen,beinghardlypressed,theprincesentamessengertohisbrother

tourgethatamovementshouldbemade.TheSaxonswereimpatientatstandingonthedefensive,andAlfredsawthathemusteitherallowthemtochargetheenemyormustretreat.

Presentlythemessengerreturnedsayingthatthekingwasinhistenthearingmass,andthathehadgivenordersthatnomanshouldmoveoranyshoulddisturbhimuntilmasswasconcluded.Alfredhesitatednolonger;heformedhismenintoasolidbody,andthen,raisinghisbattlecry,rushedupontheDanes.Thebattlewasafuriousone.The


36/163

Daneswereuponhigherground,theirstandardbeingplantedbythesideofasinglethorn-treewhichgrewontheslopesofthehill.TowardsthisAlfredwithhismenfoughttheirway.

Thelessonofthepreviousbattlehadnotbeenlost,theSaxonskepttogetherinasolidbodywhichmadeitswaywithirresistibleweightthroughtheranksoftheDanes.Stillthelatterclosedinonallsides,andthefightwasdoubtfuluntiltheking,havingfinishedhisdevotions,ledhisdivisionintothebattle.Foralongtimeadesperatestrifecontinuedandgreatnumbersonbothsideswerekilled;buttheSaxons,animatedatoncebyloveoftheircountryandhatredoftheinvadersandbyhumiliationattheirpreviousdefeat,foughtwithsuchfurythattheDanesbegantogiveway.ThentheSaxonspressedthemstillmorehotly,andtheinvaderspresentlylostheartandfledinconfusion,pursuedinalldirectionsbytheexultingSaxons.

TheDanishkingBergsecgandfivejarls,thetwoSidrocs,Osbearn,Frene,andHareld,wereslain,andmanythousandsoftheirfollowers.Greatspoilofarmsandarmourfellintothehandsofthevictors.

Edmundhadfoughtbravelyinthebattleattheheadof

hismen.Egberthadkeptbesidehim,andtwice,whentheladhadbeensmittentohiskneesbytheenemy,coveredhimwithhisshieldandbeatoffthefoe.

"Youareover-youngforsuchafightasthis,Edmund,"hesaidwhentheDaneshadtakentoflight."YouwillneedanotherfourorfiveyearsoveryourheadbeforeyoucanstandinbattleagainstthesefierceNorthmen.Theybreakdownyourguardbysheerweight;butyouboreyourselfgallantly,andIdoubtnotwillyetbeasfamousawarrioraswasyourbravefather."

Edmunddidnotjoininthepursuit,beingtoomuch

bruisedandexhaustedtodoso;butEgbertwiththemenofSherbornefollowedtheflyingDanesuntilnightfall.

"Youhavedonewell,myyoungealdorman,"PrinceAlfredsaidtotheladafterthebattle."Ihavebeenwishingmuchthatyoucouldbewithmeduringthepastmonth,butIheardthatyouwerebuildingastrongfortanddeemeditbettertoletyoucontinueyourworkundisturbed.WhenitisfinishedItrustthatIshallhaveyouoftennearme;butIfearthatforatimeweshallhavebutlittlespaceforpeacefulpursuits,fortheDanesarecoming,asIhear,ingreattroopswestward,andweshallhavemanybattlestofightereweclearthelandofthethem."

Inthosedaysadefeat,howeversevere,hadnotthesamedecisiveeffectasithasinmodernwarfare.Therewerenocannonstolose,nogreatstorestofallintothehandsofthevictors.Thearmywassimplydispersed,anditscomponentpartsreassembledinthecourseofadayortwo,ready,whenreinforcementsarrived,torenewthefight.Thus,decisiveaswasthevictoryofAshdown,PrinceAlfredsawthatmanysuchvictoriesmustbewon,andaprolongedandexhaustingstrugglecarriedonbeforethetideofinvasionwouldbe

the dragon and the raven by henty, g. a. (george alfred), 1832-1902

Documents